1894 Thun
Actual 45 mm size by Franz Homberg, Bern
Obverse.
Youthful lad garbed in simple tunic, leaned forward as he heaved back the string of the large arbalest. Its stock leverage against his abdomen, showing some strenuous exertion, he turned momentously, to glance in admiration, the splendor of the majestic medieval Schloss Thun.
Ardently at training, he worked diligently in his preparation for the upcoming shot compete, reminiscence of the legendary folklore hero Wilhelm Tell as he momentarily pause in wonder, to be crowned the next kingly champion of the grand shooting festival.
The illustrious castle towers over five stories, and perched upon the summit of Schlossberg (Castle Hill), delivering a picturesque panoramic view overlooking the quaint beauteous township, the Lake Thun and surrounding mountains of the Bernese Oberland.
Inscriptions.
ALLZEIT BEREIT – ALWAYS AT READY
Reverse.
Divine rays of illumination burst forth in all directions from the Swiss Cross, representing independence and liberty, the cherished values of the Confederacy.
The couplet blazons depicted the emblems of canton Bern, and the olden township of Thun, portraying the designated venue of the celebrated shooting festival.
Decorating alongside, a single stalk of flowering laurels decorates alongside, representing the loftiest aspirations of all partakers – to be next Schützenkönig "King of All Marksmen".
Background.
The Duke Berthold V of Zähringen built Thun castle between 1180 and 1190 and constructed the still preserved keep to the level of the Knights' Hall. The 14 m (46 ft) tall Knights' Hall was built as the centerpiece of a monument to Zähringen power. However, the family never lived in the castle, preferring Burgdorf Castle. The House of Kyburg then inherited Thun castle in 1218, and built the upper levels above the Zähringen castle. A quarrel over who would rule the southern Kyburg lands led, in 1322, to Eberhard II von Kyburg murdering his brother Hartmann II at the castle. To protect his newly acquired land from the Habsburgs, Eberhard II then sold them to Bern and was promptly given them back as a fief.
The Kyburgs ruled over the region for nearly two centuries until a failed raid by Rudolf II on Solothurn, in 1382, started the Burgdorferkrieg (also Kyburgerkrieg). After several decisive Bernese victories the Kyburgs were forced to concede an unfavorable peace. In 1384 Bern bought Thun and Burgdorf, the most important cities of the Kyburg lands.
The castle came under Bernese control and became the seat of their local administration.
In celebration of the grand Schutzenfest held in the picturesque olden township of Thun with its most famous landmark resides - Schloss Thun, in the canton of Bern.