Thun

Thun (French Thoune) is a town in the canton of Bern in Switzerland with about 41,540 inhabitants (2003). It is located where the River Aare flows out of Lake Thun (Thunersee). Besides tourism, machine and apparatus engineering, the food industry and publishing are of economic importance to Thun.

In the 7th century, Thun was mentioned in the chronicle of Frankish monk Fredgar. Around 1190 Bertold V von Zähringen buillt a castle in Thun and expanded the city. In 1264 Thun received state rights and in 1384 the town was bought by the canton of Bern.

Sights

• 12th century castle with an adjacent history museum
• 16th century Rathaus (townhall)
• Lake Thun and the view of the Alps