Discover Murten: City Walls, Museum and Lake Murten

Murten/Morat is considered a small town in the Seeland region in the north of the canton of Fribourg. When looking for a hotel in Murten, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: are you mainly interested in the historic townscape, exhibitions on history, or Lake Murten and activities on the water? These topics reveal different sides of the destination.

Murten’s city walls are considered among the best-preserved town walls in Switzerland. Murten Castle dates back to the time of Count Peter II of Savoy (1255). The town thus combines distinctive buildings with historical landmarks.

Townscape and Cultural Heritage

Narrow lanes in the old town pass baroque houses. Individual buildings also point to specific historical periods: the late Gothic French Church replaced the former St Catherine’s Chapel from 1481 onwards. The Bern Gate houses a clock mechanism made by the Ducommun brothers in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1712. Architecture, structural changes and a historic clock mechanism offer different ways to explore the town’s heritage.

Various guided tours introduce visitors to the town’s historical heritage. A QR code tour of the old town offers insights into its cultural heritage and architecture. Circuit Secret Murten Licht offers a different experience: it comprises six immersive rooms hidden in the old town. This means guided town history, a QR code tour and immersive rooms are available as distinct cultural offerings.

Museum Murten: A Look at the Town and Region

Since 1978, Museum Murten has been housed in the old town mill outside the town walls. Its permanent exhibition documents 6,000 years of history of the town of Murten and the region. Its scope therefore extends beyond the town’s history to include the surrounding region.

In addition, a dramatically staged multimedia show presents the events of the Battle of Murten. The museum thus brings together a wide-ranging historical permanent exhibition and a multimedia show focused on a specific event. If you are interested in history, you can take these two different perspectives into account when planning your trip.

Lake Murten and Outdoor Activities

Murten is associated with nearby Lake Murten and the Mont-Vully wine-growing region. On the lake, you can see wakeboarders, windsurfers and kitesurfers, stand-up paddleboarders, and rowers. Murten lido is the only large lakeside bathing area on Lake Murten. These details distinguish the lake experience from the historical attractions of the old town.

You can take a boat trip on Lake Murten with the Compagnie de navigation des Lacs de Neuchâtel et de Morat. If you are planning a trip, check the timetable in advance. The area around Murten is ideal for cycling or e-biking; you can explore the Mont-Vully wine region by e-bike or tandem. These options include activities on the water as well as rides on different types of bicycles.

A Look at How Nidelkuchen Is Made

Making Nidelkuchen is another hands-on experience in Murten: at Aebersold bakery, visitors can watch the bakers at work and get an insight into the production process. This adds a glimpse into how a local cake is made to the historical and scenic attractions.

Discover more destinations: Misery-Courtion, Wallenried, Muntelier, Ried Bei Kerzers, Charmey, Bas-Vully, Villarepos, Greng.

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