The Jura lakes melioration project
Due to the Aare River and its tributaries, the so-called Grosse Moos marshland northwest of Bern had been flooded year-by-year making the area nearly inhabitable. In the second half of the 19th century, however, the Aare River was diverted into Lake Biel, and besides this lake, also Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Murten had been lowered by more than 2 metres. In this way, the whole ecosystem has changed: the Grosse Moos is one of the most important areas for vegetable cultivation today; the famous Saint-Peter’s Island in Lake Biel (once the place of refuge of Jean-Jacques Rousseau) became a peninsula with a reeds nature reserve.
The excursion by coach will lead us firstly to the Schlossmuseum Nidau situated close to Lake Biel (exhibition on the history of the melioration project). We will then proceed to the mouth of the Hagneck channel diverting the Aare River into Lake Biel. The small delta is today restructured by a renaturation project bringing eagles and other birds back to this region. We will then enjoy a view from Mont Vully over the Grosse Moos plain and the three lakes. After a small walk through the tiny historic city of Murten you will have time for a lunch break. Please note that lunch is not included in the price. You may go to a restaurant, take some food and drink at a supermarket or take-away restaurant or book a lunch package. In the afternoon, we will take the ship course on Lake Biel from Erlach to Saint-Peter’s Island. After a short walk, we will arrive a (former) medieval priory. The ship will finally bring us to Ligerz, a small scenic village of winemakers, where we will join our coach again to bring us home to Bern.
Duration:
26 August 2023, 08:00-18:30
Price:
Excursion, standard rate: 40 CHF
Excursion, SBB Halbtax holders: 35 CHF
Excursion, SBB GA and Swiss Travel Pass holders: 30 CHF
Add a vegetarian lunch package: 10 CHF
Mobility:
Good shoes recommended for the short walking tours, not suitable for wheelchairs and walkers, but no problem with prams.
Contact:
christian.rohr@unibe.ch
