About the region
Muntelier – the oldest, dated settlement in Europe
As you sit on the beautiful terrace of «Bad Murtensee», it is inspiring the think that the very same location was settled nearly 6,000 years.
Gazing across the lake from the «Beach House», it is interesting to note that in Muntelier in 1979 the oldest loaf of bread of the world has been found. Scientist Max Währen established that the piece found was over 5,000 years old and made of wheat flour.
World heritage in and at Lake Murten
Enjoy some time on one of the three Lakes (Lake Murten, Neuchâtel and Biel). Archaeologists discovered in the 1990's numerous settlements around the lakes, including remains of palafittes (stilt-houses) found under the water. These dated back to Neolithic and Bronze Age.
European history was written here
Discover the city walls and take the opportunity to climb up the stairs to the tower. Once there will be facing the site of the heroic Battle of Murten in 1476. It was the second of three battles between the Swiss Confederation and the Burgundy army. It ended the rein and power of Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy. In Grandson, he lost his wealth, in Murten he lost his courage and in Nancy he lost his life (he lost «in Grandson das Gut, in Murten den Mut, in Nancy das Blut»).
Mont Vully
As you savour the sunset over Lake Murten, on the opposite side the closest hill is Mont Vully. Today well known for delicious wines, but in 58 b.c. Mont Vully was home to the «Oppidum», a roman fortification. This structure highlights the strategic importance of the region to the Romans. No wonder, that the Swiss Army also built fortifications there in 1914 to help defend central Switzerland during the First World War.