Langenthal between urban history, art and nature

Langenthal is considered a small town in the heart of the Swiss Plateau and the centre of the Bernese Oberaargau region. The town is close to the main west–east and north–south routes and is considered easily accessible by transport. There are different themes to focus on during your stay: architectural heritage and urban history, museums and theatre, the observatory or nature watching. This lets you plan around the topics you would like to set aside time for.

Urban history, architectural heritage and museums

In 2019, Langenthal received the Wakker Prize for its careful approach to architectural tradition and the planning process applied to construction projects. Wakker Prize tours explain the reasons for the award by visiting various buildings on a guided walk through the town. Historical walking tours take you through the town centre and introduce historic buildings; they are offered in German, French and English. Check the current dates before booking. Langenthal City Theatre has a history of more than 100 years and is considered the town’s largest cultural institution, with a reach beyond the region.

The Langenthal Museum focuses on archaeological and geological finds from the Oberaargau region. It also documents Langenthal’s development from a medieval village into a regional centre. The Unterhard archaeological site offers a closer look at the town’s history: it was a burial ground for centuries. The Archaeological Service of the Canton of Bern documented two Iron Age burial mounds and a total of 123 graves dating from the Early Iron Age, the Roman period and the Early Middle Ages. The restored burial mounds can be visited.

The Langenthal Art Museum presents temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, with a focus on current Swiss art. Events and educational activities for people of all ages accompany the exhibitions. The Jo Vonlanthen Formula 1 Museum presents a different collection: across more than 1,845 square metres, you can see racing cars, Formula 1 cars and vintage cars. The collection may change.

Nature and wildlife watching

At Schorenweiher, well-maintained paths offer opportunities to watch native and exotic birds, ducks, geese, fish and other animals in their natural surroundings. The pond can also serve as a starting point for walks and hikes. Around 80 animals live in the Langenthal Animal Park’s enclosures, which are loosely arranged. From paths that are mostly free of dust, you can watch fallow deer, sika deer, red deer, wild boar, pygmy goats and ponies. Visitors may feed the animals with the park’s pre-packaged animal feed; confirm the feeding rules on site when you visit.

The aquarium in Langenthal also offers a chance to see a variety of animal species. For an entrance fee, you can explore four large tanks containing koi, sturgeon, catfish, rays and colourful Amazonian fish. The species on display may change. Check access arrangements before your visit.

Observatory and planning your visit

In clear weather, the Langenthal School Observatory is open to the public every Tuesday evening from 7 to 8 pm, from October to the end of March. As visits depend on the weather and this seasonal opening period, check the latest information before travelling. In addition, 90-minute tours are offered for school classes, holiday-pass children, companies, associations and private groups; confirm availability before booking. Historical walking tours last 1 to 1.5 hours. These two guided formats therefore take a similar amount of time, while public visits to the observatory are limited to a specific evening and clear skies.

Hiking route and cultural landscape

The “Peaceful Landscapes of the Swiss Plateau” hiking route starts in Langenthal and leads directly to the Langete. Its first section follows the river through the Wässermatten, a distinctive cultural landscape featuring irrigation ditches, hedgerows and imposing solitary trees. Langenthal is accessible by train for this route; check current connections before travelling. The route description thus connects a starting point in town with a landscape section shaped by waterways, hedgerows and individual large trees.

Discover more destinations: Madiswil, Rohrbach, Lotzwil, Auswil, Melchnau, Rohrbachgraben, Bannwil, Obersteckholz

Return to the main travel overview: Aarwangen.