The impressive Beatus Caves rise majestically above Lake Thun. These natural wonders are several million years old and undoubtedly arouse fascination. Legend has it that the caves served as a shelter for Saint Beatus, who is said to have defeated and banished a fire-breathing dragon. The caves still impress today with their deep gorges, magnificent galleries and waterfalls. It's time to immerse yourself in a geological fairy world and explore these unique caves.
The legend
A long time ago, the people around Lake Thun lived in pagan isolation. One day, two foreign hikers came over the Brünig, dressed in robes made of heavy fabric and carrying long pilgrim staffs: Beatus and Justus. They walked along Lake Brienz to the Bödeli, crossed the Lombach and reached the ancient village of Sundlauenen. The friendly shepherds welcomed the two pilgrims hospitably and asked them to tell them about their journey.
The two strangers said that they came from faraway England and had come to bring good news to the people in this area. Beatus spoke of the good God in heaven and of Jesus Christ, his son, who was sent into the world to make people blessed. The people of Sundlauen asked Beatus to stay with them and to teach them better about this new path of faith.
Beatus was an early Christian missionary who, according to legend, was born in Scotland around 12 AD and died in 112 AD on Lake Thun. His original name was Suetonius and he came from a noble family. During a trip to Italy, he met the apostle Barnabas in Milan, who preached the gospel to him and baptized him. In Rome, he met Saint Peter, who ordained him a priest and commissioned him to spread the gospel among the Helvetians.
Beatus and Justus wanted to stay with the Sundlaueners, but they didn't want to be a burden to anyone. The villagers then assigned them a cave nearby where they could live. That was all they needed.
Legend has it that a terrible dragon lived in this cave. When Beatus and Justus returned to the cave the next morning, the dragon greeted them with a terrifying hiss. But Beatus raised his pilgrim's staff and summoned the dragon in the name of the almighty God. With a helpless howl of rage, the dragon plunged into the lake, which then boiled to a boil.
Access
From the car park, a path leads through the forest to the entrance of the caves. On the way, you cross several bridges that lead over waterfalls that cascade down from the caves. Listen to the rushing of the water and the sound of the falling drops.
