Thun Local Customs

Normally the second weekend (Friday and Saturday) of August there is a big city party in Thun. On different squares are different kind of concerts (mainly in the evenings) or Disco areas. Furthermore you will find some food stands, games, a big wheel and lots of bars organized by the local sports clubs. But mainly, the town is just really full of people. So if you do not like crowds, do not come!

Every other year there is a big fireworks show on Saturday night. So that is 2008, 2010, 2012 and so on.

Check homepage for yearly details.

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This is a three day festival in fall in the city of Thun (Starting on Sunday before the last Monday of September)
This are said to be the nicesest three days of the year (I have to admit that is for sure only the case for people born and raised in Thun). The custom goes back to the fight in Murten in 1476 where it is said that we captured a chester from Karl dem Kühnen. Up to today during the three days that chester is the main figure of the festivities. He will first show up at four o'clock in the moring on Monday on the main twon square. Before you can go an try to find him hidden in town. If you find him you will get 5 Franks and lots of flaps from the chester's pig bladders. However during the night there are some big parties in town as all the bars and restaurants will stay open. Lots of school classes acctually have their reunions during those three days as a real Thun person will not miss those days no matter where in the world they live. During the day the chester is running though the town and the kids will chase him. Every now and then he will trow some candies and chocolates from windows. During the days there are lots of shooting competitions. You will be able to see how they shoot with the traditional arbalest. Some marching bands will do their rounds as well.

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Fulehung is not just an ordinary clown, BUT he was a person of Swiss history : The "Hofnarr" / clown at the court of Karl der Kuehne, who was kidnapped in 1476 in the Battle of Murten.
Fule Hung is the translation of Fauler Hund (lazy dog) in Swiss german and in Thun there is an annual festivity when the Fulehung is chased through the city of Thun. The population of Thun will shout Fulehung, Fulehung... and he might hide at some places and throw sweets to the audience.
That date is at Ausschiesset, the traditional end of the schooting-season of the Cadettes of Thun.
You will see the mask of Fulehung or puppets of him as a souvenir at various places in Thun, so at least you know now, where all of this fuss comes from...

The name "Thun" goes back to Celtic times. Most Switzerland was inhabited by celtic tribes - and in their language there was a word. "dunum" which meant "a fortified place." During the centuries, and with the roman invasion, the name "dunum" was modified - eventually becoming "thun".

The railway to the top of Jungfrau is the easiest route and a fun thing to do in and of itself. It takes you to Lauterbrunnen at 2,600 feet , where you switch trains to head to Klein Sheidegg at 6,762 feet...stopping at Eigerwand (9,400 feet) and Eismeer (10,300 feet)before going on to Eispalast(Ice Palace) at a whopping 11,000 feet when you reach the summit and if the visability is good...a dreamlike view of the 14 mile long Aletsch Glacier and the surrounding area..all seemingly in its own eerie world. Keep in mind at this altitude your metabolism is affected and you get a natural mountain giddy high.