Münchenbuchsee

Münchenbuchsee is a municipality in the Bern-Mittelland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is famous as the birthplace of the painter Paul Klee. On 1 January 2023 the former municipality of Diemerswil merged to form the municipality of Münchenbuchsee. Münchenbuchsee is first mentioned in a deed of donation in 1180 as Buhse (in Swiss German it is still known as Buchsi). The oldest traces of settlements in the area are scattered neolithic and Hallstatt artifacts which were found in the marsh near Moossee Lake. Some Bronze Age items were discovered in Hofwil. Other archeological discoveries include Iron Age and High Medieval earthen fortifications at Schwandenberg, a grave mound and an Early Medieval grave in Hofwilwald. The knight Kuno von Buchsee donated his entire possessions to the Order of St. John after having returned for the third time from a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. A commandry of the order was established, which subsequently acquired more land and expanded its influence in the area. In 1210 the order built a hospice for pilgrims as well as an infirmary and a big kitchen. For more than 350 years the members of the order distributed food to the poor twice a week. Münchenbuchsee Commandery's seal was first documented in 1264. In 1329, the residents of the Commandery became citizens of Bern. The south side of the courtyard included Kuno's castle, the church and a residential building. The choir of the Commandery Church was built in 1260-80 while the stained glass is from the 13th century. The north side of the courtyard had the "summer house", the guesthouse and workshops. The religious community was small, by 1480 only the commander, the prior and six brothers lived there. Due to close family ties between the noble commanders at Münchenbuchsee and Thunstetten Commandery, the two houses became tied together. At times the prior at Thunstetten would appoint a representative to administer the smaller Commandery at Münchenbuchsee.