Brienz
- Deborah Kade
- 5 hours ago
- 3 min read
Brienz is a village on the northeast shore of Lake Brienz, the Bernese Oberland region. The village's 18th-century wooden chalets and the sculptures dotted throughout the village are testimonials to a woodcarving tradition.
North, a steam train runs up Brienzer Rothorn Mountain, with views of the lake and surrounding Alps. East of Brienz, the Ballenberg Open Air Museum offers glimpses of rural life.
Off they go!
Trying to follow the train up the mountain. Follow the smoke.....
Easy to spot the red.
The Brienzer Rothorn is a mountain of the Emmental Alps. With an elevation of 2,350 meters (7,710 ft) above sea level, the Brienzer Rothorn is the highest summit of the range. To its west lies the Tannhorn, whilst to its east are Arnihaaggen, Höch Gumme and the Brünig Pass (1,008 metres (3,307 ft)). On its south side it overlooks Lake Brienz, whilst to the north it looks out over the Waldemme Valley.
The summit is shared by the municipalities of Brienz, to the south-west, Schwanden bei Brienz, to the south-east, Giswil to the north-east, and Flühli, to the north-west. Brienz and Schwanden bei Brienz are in the canton of Bern, Giswil is in the canton of Obwalden, and Flühli is in the canton of Lucerne. The Brienzer Rothorn is the highest point in the canton of Luzern.
The summit can be reached from Brienz by the Brienz Rothorn Bahn (steam train), the summit station being located at 2,244 meters (7,362 ft) on the Bernese side. It can also be reached from Sörenberg, in Flühli, by cable car.
Weather permitting, the passengers today may see over 693 mountain peaks; from the Central Swiss Alps with Pilatus, Rigi, and Titlis, across the many four-thousand-meter peaks of the Bernese Alps with Eiger, Mönch, and Jungfrau, all the way to the Chasseral in the Jura Mountains.
I walked along the lake.
I know someone who likes aperol spritz.
Around and around they go.
Pine trees produce many more cones some years—known as a mast year—as a clever survival strategy to overwhelm hungry animals and successfully reproduce.
Weather changes, such as a prior dry summer or drought, can trigger trees to panic and shift their energy into making extra seeds.
Have you ever wondered “why are there so many pine cones this year?”
It boils down to survival. Trees have different reactions based on the climate and weather around them. In years with a healthy amount of rain, the tree will focus more on growth and less on seed production. However, in years where there just isn’t enough rain (like this past summer) the tree will compensate by producing an abnormal number of seeds (to encourage propagation). On a pine tree, these seeds are found in pine cones that will eventually drop to the ground.
Aside from weather-related stresses, botanists have speculated that heavy pine cone production may also be a defense mechanism that the tree uses to prevent insect infestations. Insects prey on the seeds dropped by trees and will “camp out” beside a dubious source of sustenance. There will be generations of insects every year, causing harm to the tree – possibly even killing it.
The most famous and beautiful street in Brienz is Brunngasse, an 18th-century cobblestone lane once awarded the title of "the most beautiful street in Europe".
Lined with traditional, well-maintained wooden houses dating back to the 1700s.
Heavily adorned with bright, colorful flower boxes and window displays during the warmer months.
Keep everything neat and clean.
A year ago, a storm devastated parts of the village of Brienz. Masses of mud and debris carried away by the Milibach caused severe destruction. Much of the damage has since been repaired, but not all the wounds have healed.
Evangelical Reformed Church of Brienz
Hothouse by the cemetery
There was a beautiful garden next to the train station
Two bee hives
A few fruit trees
Went back to Interlaken Ost from the Brienz - West station. Such a long walk but a calming and relaxing walk along gorgeous Lake Brienz.
Thea and Marc invited us to their home for dinner. Wonderful evening of delicious food. Conversation flowed where we lost track of time. Couldn't have asked for a better evening! I did get to see her new pastel painting and her studio area. I got goose bumps and started to cry. It is one thing to see her progress on Facebook and another in seeing it in person. Thea does amazing work.
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