Beatenberg

Beatenberg
Restaurant and chapel at the entry of Saint Beatus Caves below Beatenberg
Beatenberg
Location of Beatenberg
Coordinates: 46°41′N 7°47′E / 46.683°N 7.783°E / 46.683; 7.783Coordinates: 46°41′N 7°47′E / 46.683°N 7.783°E / 46.683; 7.783
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Bern
District	Interlaken
Government
• Mayor	Verena Moser
Area
• Total	29.23 km2 (11.29 sq mi)
Elevation	1,129 m (3,704 ft)
Highest elevation	2,063 m (6,768 ft)
Lowest elevation	559 m (1,834 ft)
Population (Dec 2015)
• Total	1,194
• Density	41/km2 (110/sq mi)
Postal code	3803
SFOS number	0571
Surrounded by	Habkern, Sigriswil, Unterseen
Website	www.beatenberg.ch SFSO statistics

Beatenberg is a municipality in the Interlaken district of the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Beatenberg is first mentioned in 1275 as super rupes. In 1281 it was mentioned as ob den fluen and in 1357 as Sant Beaten berge.

The earliest trace of a settlement in the area are some early medieval graves near the Beatushöhlen (Saint Beatus cave). According to legend, Saint Beatus was a Scottish or Irish monk who was sent to evangelize the Helvetii. After finding success in the Jura Mountains, he moved into the Beatenberg area where he defeated a dragon and established a hermitage in the cave overlooking Thun Lake. While the story is probably legendary, the caves became a pilgrimage destination. A chapel was built by the cave for the visiting pilgrims. By 1230 the chapel had grown into a parish church, which in the following century was brought under the control of Interlaken Abbey.

During the 13th century a number of local nobles owned land or rights in and around the area. In 1334 Interlaken Abbey acquired some land in the village. The Abbey eventually grew into the largest landlord in Beatenburg. However, in 1528, Bern adopted the Protestant Reformation and secularized Interlaken Abbey. The village was acquired by Bern and placed in the bailiwick of Interlaken. The Catholic pilgrimage chapel was promptly closed and the cave was walled up. The reformed leaders built a wooden reformed church on a nearby hill in 1534-40.

In 1762 the village became part of the district of Unterseen. Following the 1798 French invasion and the Act of Mediation in 1803, Beatenberg became part of the newly recreated Interlaken District.