St. Beatus Caves
St. Beatus Caves features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Interlaken. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type nature
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Interlaken Interlaken guide
About St. Beatus Caves
Show caves in the cliff above Lake Thun, with underground rivers, lakes and stalactites, waterfalls pouring from the entrance, and the legend of the hermit St. Beatus who drove out a dragon.
The St. Beatus Caves, the Beatushöhlen, are show caves in the cliff above the north shore of Lake Thun, between Thun and Interlaken, with waterfalls tumbling from the entrance. Some fourteen kilometres of passages have been explored; about a kilometre is lit and open to visitors, a world of underground rivers and lakes, stalactites and smooth-worn grottoes at a constant cool temperature. A guided walk through takes around three quarters of an hour to an hour.
The caves are wrapped in legend. The story tells of a fire-breathing dragon that lived here, until the hermit St. Beatus faced it with the cross, called on the Holy Trinity, and drove it out to drown in Lake Thun, after which Beatus lived in the cave until his death. At the entrance you can see his 'grave' and a replica of his cell. The cave was a pilgrimage site until the Reformation of 1528, when the Bernese authorities walled it up to stop the pilgrimages. It is open most of the year.
Did you know? About fourteen kilometres of the cave system have been explored; roughly a kilometre is lit and open to visitors, with underground rivers, lakes and stalactites at a constant cool temperature.
How long is a visit to St. Beatus Caves?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for St. Beatus Caves. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is St. Beatus Caves worth your time?
St. Beatus Caves is among the 13 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Interlaken, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Interlaken
Sources and further reading
Where to check the facts about St. Beatus Caves and read more:
Day 1 of the Interlaken in 2 days itinerary →
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Hear the story of St. Beatus Caves
Preview the Interlaken tour free in the Gingerguide app.