Schloss Trachselwald rents its rooms for company events, weddings and family parties in the Emmental, in the Swiss canton of Bern. The castle states that it takes small groups as well as aperitifs of up to 200 people, and that banquets of up to 60 can be seated in its largest room. It stands on the Herzschlaufe Napf walking and cycling loop.
Seminars and company events
The official site names company events among the uses of the castle and offers rooms for small business formats. The Turmstübli and the Schatzzimmer are described as suited to a private dinner or a small meeting. The Buffetsaal and the Empfangssaal each take more than 40 people for a lunch or dinner. For a larger reception or a standing aperitif, you can rent the entire first floor, with every room and the entrance hall.
The castle also runs one-hour guided tours of up to 25 people per group, by reservation, which can be added to a team event. The tour covers the cell of the peasant leader Niklaus Leuenberger and the history of the Anabaptists in the Emmental.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are promoted on the home page. The Zeremoniensaal, the former courtroom, is the largest room and holds banquets of up to 60 guests. The Ofenzimmer offers a cosy option for a smaller celebration. When you rent the rooms, the castle courtyard and the garden are also available for an aperitif in fine weather. Both are open to the public, so guests may share them with visitors.
Rooms and capacities
The castle lists these spaces for hire:
- Zeremoniensaal, former courtroom, banquets up to 60.
- Ofenzimmer, for celebrations.
- Turmstübli and Schatzzimmer, private dinners and small meetings.
- Buffetsaal and Empfangssaal, more than 40 guests for a meal.
- Entire first floor with entrance hall, for larger parties or an aperitif.
- Castle courtyard and garden, with a room rental, in good weather.
A caretaker is required from 40 guests for cleaning, viewings and parking service, and is billed by the hour on top of the room rate. Ask the castle for the current rates and the rental rules.
Accommodation
The official page does not list any bedrooms or a hotel partner. Plan overnight stays in the Emmental region.
Catering
The castle's catering partner is VCJ Catering, which coordinates the use of the infrastructure with the castle team. You can book the caterer directly or hire an external caterer, in which case the rental rules for external caterers apply. A separate document sets out those rules, and the castle asks you to contact the team or the partner before you decide.
History and setting
The castle stands high above the village in the heart of the Emmental, and the keep houses an exhibition on the Anabaptists. The keep and its prison cells are open to the public, with a limit of 20 people at a time because of the narrow and steep stairs. This is worth telling guests who plan to visit before or after your event.
Getting there
The castle belongs to the municipality of Trachselwald, in the Emmental. The site does not give a train or bus route. Ask the team for access and parking details when you request a date, since the parking service is part of the caretaker's tasks from 40 guests.
