Kehrsatz Castle

In 1795, Emanuel von Tscharner purchased Kehrsatz Castle, dating from the late 16th century, from the family of General Karl Hackbrett. Even after the revolution and the downfall of old Bern (1798), the castle, as well as the Lohn estate and the Blumenhof country house, remained in the Tscharner family's possession. However, Kehrsatz was later stripped of its manorial rights.

In 1862, due to the Tscharner family's childlessness, the castle and estate were bequeathed to Inselspital Bern.

Pictures from around 1742 show that the surrounding wall and some outbuildings already existed at that time. However, it is uncertain whether the house next to the entrance, which was used as a "Wöschhüsi" (washhouse) until 20 years ago and later as a village library, dates from the same period.

Legend has it that a daughter of the Hackbrett family, who died young, could never find eternal rest due to a somewhat dissolute lifestyle. On stormy summer nights, the maiden Hackbrett haunts the castle, which is no longer familiar to her, searches for the year 1598 in the masonry with bony fingers, then floats up to the roof vault, where she waits for midnight next to the tower clock...

From 1889, the castle provided accommodation for girls who, for various reasons, could not live with their families.

Around 1950-54, the agricultural estate was leased out, the old barn was demolished, and the current residential building was erected in its place.

The former girls' home became a mixed residential school with small living groups and an internal school, where children and young people with special integration needs are supported. In 1998, the two state residential schools Landorf Köniz and Schlössli Kehrsatz were merged into one institution under common management. The residential school is subordinate to the Health and Welfare Directorate of the Canton of Bern.