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1. The tour begins on the Unterdorfstrasse, across from the little shopping mall "Zentrum Saagi," a short distance from the bus stop "Bösbach." The name of the present shopping mall Saagi is all that remains of a Säge (sawmill), first mentioned in 1360, that was powered by waters of the Mühlebach (mill stream). A sawmill existed on this site until recently and was a dominant feature of the village. |
2. Walk a short distance towards the village center, to the street Zelgstrasse.
Across the Zelgstrasse is the former Lehmann mill, with the Mühlebach still running alongside it.
3. Turn right and proceed one block to Erlenstrasse. At the corner of Zelgstrasse and Erlenstrasse stands the lovingly restored Gfeller mill, with the water wheel still there, as in the old times. |
4. Continue up Zelgstrasse till you come to Höchhusweg. On the corner stands a real symbol of Steffisburg: the Höchhuus (tall house). The chronicles state that this house was built by the knight Heinrich Matter in 1449. It is today owned by the Höchhuus Foundation. To me, this building has a wonderful anthropomorphic appearance. I half expect it to come alive and start telling a tale of the Middle Ages. Next to the Höchhuus is another ancient building, today in the possession of the Zeller family. The two buildings together are often called the Höchhüser (tall houses). If you have a look behind the Höchhüser, you will see the Zeller tannery on the Mühlebach, where leather is still tanned to this day. |
5. Turn left onto Höchhuusweg, and return to the busy Unterdorfstrasse. Turn right onto the Unterdorfstrasse, and pause at the "Zulgbrücke" (Zulg bridge).
The Zulg is the stream that has defined Steffisburg's character since ancient times. It springs forth at the foot of the Hohgant and keeps the residents of Steffisburg on their toes, especially after thunderstorms in the Eriz. The Zulg is not stingy at such times of high water, rather it carries enormous rocks and whole trees into town.
Concerning the Zulg crossing: At the time of the first inhabitants there was only a ford through the stream. Later, footbridges and road bridges were built. The chronicles even tell of a bridge toll around 1400. Until 1885 a wooden covered bridge served to connect the upper village with the lower village. Later came the "modern" bridges of stone and concrete.
6. Cross the Zulg. At this point the street name changes from Unterdorfstrasse (lower village street) to Oberdorfstrasse (upper village street). Immediately after the traffic circle, turn right onto the little Schulgässli. After about 100 meters, we stand before the two old schoolhouses. These two schoolhouses could tell us a long story, but today they serve a different purpose. The older one (right), built 1674, is attached to the farmhouse Hodel and is today a private residence. The younger stems from the year 1811. Upon close examination, the arrangement of the windows still reminds us of a schoolhouse. |
7. Continue on Schulgässli as it veers to the left and rejoins the Oberdorfstrasse. Two proud old buildings adorn the junction of Schulgässli with the Oberdorfstrasse. On the one side is the Landhaus, built in 1543, which long served as courthouse of Steffisburg as well as the surrounding district. The courtroom on the second floor of the present-day restaurant memorializes those days, and at the same time spoils you with good food. On the other side of the Schulgässli is the former Dokterhuus (doctor house). Today it continues to serve the community as town hall. |
TO BE CONTINUED
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