Discover Pieterlen: Nature and History

Visitors considering Pieterlen as a destination can explore two distinct themes: nature and local history. The town lies on the language boundary between the southern foothills of the Jura and the Büttenberg, alongside the renaturalised Leugene and within a local recreation area. Pieterlen has good public transport links and is well connected to a motorway junction.

Rocky Heathland and Trails

The Felsenheide nature reserve near Pieterlen combines geological traces with distinctive habitats. Glacial polish marks and erratic boulders are among the reserve’s striking features. Felsenheide provides a habitat for characteristic rocky-heath vegetation with relict species, as well as downy oak, hornbeam and boxwood stands; numerous reptiles and insects also live there. You can explore the area via the “Nature” themed trail established by the municipality of Pieterlen.

Six themed circular trails focus on Pieterlen and its surroundings. Numerous hiking and cycling trails run along the southern foothills of the Jura and into the lower Seeland. Alongside the nature trail, these offer further ways to get to know the town and its surroundings.

The Gschichtli Trail

Along the Gschichtli Trail, ten QR-code stations tell a continuous story over a route just under 2 km long. The changing stories range from fairy tales and fables to adventure and fantasy stories for children aged 4 to 12. The route is just under 2 km long, and the total listening time is 20 minutes—so the route length and listening time are distinct. You will need a smartphone to scan the QR codes. The municipality also recommends bringing a picnic and a charged smartphone.

Church and Medieval Traces

Pieterlen Church brings together several historical periods. It is first mentioned in 1228 in the cartulary of the Diocese of Lausanne. Romanesque architectural elements from the 11th or 12th century have been preserved, including a baptismal font made of shell sandstone and an image of an apostle. According to the most recent dendrochronological dating, the richly painted Gothic choir dates to around 1340; a niche contains the tomb of a knight from the von Eptingen family.

Pieterlen’s medieval archaeological heritage also includes graves and an artificially modified hill with a defensive ditch. The hill bears witness to a former castle and adds another aspect of local history to the historical traces of the church.

Schlössli and Historic Village Centre

From 1838 onwards, Schlössli Pieterlen was gradually rebuilt as a small medieval castle in the romantic style that was fashionable at the time. Its medieval-looking castle character is therefore the result of a 19th-century romantic redesign.

The Haus zum Himmel is a well-preserved 17th-century building on the old country road in Pieterlen. To this day, the historic village centre retains characteristic features of the former pre-industrial farming village. These historical themes complement the nature and trail offerings with insights into the town’s architectural history.

Discover more travel destinations: Büren An Der Aare, Leuzigen, Oberwil Bei Büren

For the main travel overview: Büren.