Murten

Adrian von Bubenberg (c. 1424-1479) was a Bernese knight, former Schultheiss of Bern, and Knight of the Holy Sepulchre. Appointed commander of Murten in April 1476, he brought 1,500 men and stockpiled weapons. On 22 June 1476, after a 13-day siege by Charles the Bold's army of 21,000-25,000 men, a Swiss relief army of 24,000 launched a surprise attack. Approximately 10,000-12,000 Burgundians were killed; Swiss casualties numbered only about 410.

According to legend, after the 1476 victory a messenger ran from Murten to Fribourg carrying a linden branch and collapsed dead upon arrival. The twig grew into the famous Tilleul de Morat, which stood for over 500 years until destroyed in 1983; a cutting was replanted in 1984. The first official Murtenlauf was held on 25 June 1933 with 14 participants. It is Switzerland's oldest road race, covering 17.17 km. Today it attracts around 10,000 participants annually.

Murten sits on the Röstigraben, the linguistic boundary between German- and French-speaking Switzerland. In 1762, the Marienkirche became the parish for German speakers, and the Church of St. Catherine for French speakers — an arrangement persisting today. The town is roughly 83% German-speaking and 15% French-speaking, in the predominantly French-speaking Canton of Fribourg. Murten was named Swiss Village of the Year 2024 and recognized by the UNWTO as one of the 32 Best Tourism Villages.

The Murten Licht-Festival was first held in January 2016 and runs for 12 evenings each January with approximately 20 light installations. In 2026 it celebrated its 10th anniversary. The Berntor was first mentioned in 1239. Murten's 13th-century ramparts are among the best-preserved in Switzerland and uniquely remain fully walkable — the only such ring wall open for walking in the country.

After the Battle of Murten, approximately 10,000 Burgundians were buried in pits. In 1485, Peter von Erlach built an ossuary at Merlach, reportedly filled to the ceiling with bones. In 1798, soldiers of the French 75th demi-brigade — of Burgundian origin — demolished it, attempting to burn the bones and erase their ancestors' defeat. Today the Museum Murten preserves the battle's memory with exhibitions spanning 6,000 years.

Lake Murten is 8.2 km long, 2.8 km wide, and 45 m deep — the smallest of the Three Lakes alongside Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Biel. The area has been settled for at least 6,000 years, with Neolithic lake dwellings on its shores. Since the Jura Water Correction (1868-1891), the lake drains through the Broye Canal into Lake Neuchâtel. Just 7 km south lies Avenches (Aventicum), the capital of Roman Helvetia with its amphitheatre seating 16,000.

The Nidelkuchen was created in 1931 by Ernst Aebersold of the Aebersold bakery in Murten. The technique involves at least five thin coats of cream applied during and after baking, with Gruyère double cream for the final layers. The recipe has been passed through three generations. Murten was founded in the 1170s by Duke Berchtold IV of Zähringen; the castle dates from 1255 under Peter II of Savoy.

The Berntor was first mentioned in 1239; the current structure dates to the second half of the 18th century. It is the main eastern entrance to the old town. The city walls were erected in phases from 12th-century foundations. The walkable rampart runs approximately 2 km. The Murtenlauf, held since 1933, starts from Murten's Hauptgasse and passes through the gate.