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THE STORY OF THE CONGRESS

CENTRE KURSAAL ______________________________________________________________________________________________

1858

33 citizens acquire the property of the former me-

dieval Augustinerklosters inter lacus for the con-

struction of a spa and whey spa as well as

a society house. The buyers lease the property to

the French Baron Azène du Plessis.

1859

The ceremonial opening of the newly built Kursaal

with areas for reading, preservation, restoration,

music and balls is set to take place on July 20. One

month later, a ban on “games of chance” is is-

sued, after which the Kurhaus is closed again.

1862

The corporation “Kurhausgesellschaft Interlaken” is

established by the buyers of Aarzelgmatte.

1873

A music pavilion is erected in the central axis of the

Kursaal Garden. In 1892, it is moved to the left so

that the Jungfrau is visible from the main building.

The music pavilion is moved to left side in 1892

1883

The “Casinogesellschaft” introduces “jeu des

petits chevaus” (Small Horses Game) again to

guarantee the Kursaal much needed income.

Jeu des petits chevaus in the game room

1885

The jeu des petits chevaus brings in a net profit of

around CHF 15,000. But there is a risk that the

game which was hitherto classified as harmless

gaming will be banned, and the Kursaal is threat-

ened with the loss of this welcome revenue.

1888

According to the law, gambling is forbidden in

public establishments. To meet the legal require-

ments relating to the game, the Board of Directors

declares the Kursaal a private establishment. As a

result, the local population is excluded from the

Kursaal.

1889

The Kursaal is illuminated with electricity for the first

time.

1890

The new Gaming Law of the Canton of Bern allows

gambling. In addition to the famous jeu des petits

chevaus, a railroad game is now also on offer at

the Kursaal Interlaken.

Newly designed central part of the Kursaal in 1895

1898

The whey spa is closed due to recent medical

knowledge. The facility is rented out as a pub, and

the premises are used for all kinds of festivities.

1899-1910

The first big new building construction is undertak-

en.

Neuchâtel architect Paul Bouvier creates the Kur-

saal, which is a listed building today, with a con-

cert, game and theatre hall as well as the en-

trance.

Theatre hall 1945

1910

Opening of the big concert and theatre hall.

Events of many kinds are held successfully in the

Kursaal.

Interlaken develops into a location for congresses.

Kursaal buys the adjoining Hotel Belvédère to im-

prove access and build parking. The hotel is sold

to the municipality of Interlaken in 1943.

1914

Almost all the staff is drafted, and the Kursaal is

closed at the beginning of World War I.

The annual statement shows a loss of CHF 75,000.

On 13 July, a popular initiative for a ban on gam-

bling is submitted at the federal level. Reopening

with poor business performance due to the war

and reduced operations at the urging of the hotel

industry. There is a record loss of CHF 181,000.

1918

The accumulated debts of the Kurhausgesell-

schaft amount to CHF 2.2 million.

1920

Gradually, the number of visitors and guests in-

creases again; many tourists visit the concerts and

events in the Kursaal. On 20 March, the popular

initiative is adopted for a ban on gaming. The Kur-

saal has five years left to cease gaming.

Kursaal garden 1935

1921

A restructuring agreement is negotiated with the

banks and creditors.

1925

Despite submissions from the Swiss Kursaal Associa-

tion and various initiatives in the national and

state budget, the Federal Council decides that

the ban on gaming will apply from 20 March 1925.

1926

The official spa committee grants the

Kurhausgesellschaft an annual subsidy of CHF

30,000 on the condition that guests have free ad-

mission to the Kursaal garden. The president of the

Kurhausgesellschaft, as president of the Swiss Kur-

saal Association, initiates the “referendum on the

preservation of spas and promotion of Swiss tour-

ism”. The so-called “casino initiative” is established.

1928

Gambling revenue no longer flows in, and the Kur-

saal struggles to survive. The Kursaal initiative with

limited gaming is adopted on 2 December. The

gambling stake is limited to CHF 2.00, and 25% of

the revenue is to be donated to non-profit organi-

sations.

1929

The reintroduction of gaming yields a profit of CHF

118,000.

1930

The Kurhausgesellschaft participates in the con-

struction of the beach bath and the access road.

The Kursaal takes over the restoration at the

beach.

1932

Big financial problems as a result of the global

economic crisis lead to further reorganisation.

Share 1910

1933

As the Kurhausgesellschaft was unable to pay the

municipal and state taxes, a payment order is sent

on 5 July. The Kurhausgesellschaft is able to reach

an agreement with the municipality, which ac-

cepts a proposal from the tourist office.

1937

The persistently difficult economic situation forces

the Board of Directors to undertake further reor-

ganisation. The share capital is massively reduced,

and the banks and bondholders waive part of

their deposits. The Kursaal can write off the accu-

mulated debts of CHF 635,000.

1940

The gates of the Kursaal close again; this time due

to World War II. The rooms are converted into a

warehouse for the army.

1942/1943

The rental does not bring in enough revenue,

which requires radical new reorganisation again.

1945/1946

The concert hall, which was still open at the time,

is surrounded by glass windows to protect against

wind and weather.

The garden, the fountain and the flower clock are

redesigned as part of this work. A bar is set up in

the little-used reading room (known as Spycher

today).

1946

The Kursaal is reopened again after the completion

of the construction work and World War II. An “In-

terlaken Festival” with eight symphony concerts, 43

opera and ballet performances and 5 chamber

music serenades is planned. The event cannot be

carried out due to lack of funds. The Amsterdam

Conzertgebouw Orchestra lays the foundations for

the Mozart Weeks and today’s “Interlaken Clas-

sics”.

1955-1958

The bar is converted into a modern dance bar. 16

wooden pillars are removed in the concert hall to

optimise the spectators’ view. They are replaced

by steel girders that are hidden under the wooden

cladding.

The stage is rebuilt and expanded. The lighting and

acoustics are improved and a heater is installed.

The artists’ dressing rooms under the stage are

modernised. The modernised dance bar is rebuilt

and enlarged. A small game room is built adjacent

to the bar (known as “La Boule” today).

1959

The 100th anniversary is celebrated with great fan-

fare. The Kursaal is doing well financially.

Dance bar 1946-55

Dance bar (known as Spycher today) 1956

1960-1965

Interlaken experiences a massive increase in the

number of guests. The highlight of the 1960 season

is a guest performance by the Vienna State

Opera Ballet. There is a direct TV broadcast from

the insufficiently heated concert hall for the first

time in the middle of winter.

1967

The new entrance area on the Höheweg is built,

and the “le Petit Casino” is inaugurated.

Entrance and restaurant le Petit Casino 1970

1969

A banquet for 1,200 people is held for the first time

in the Kursaal for the European Beer Brewery Con-

gress.

1970

On the 7 August, a storm sweeps over the Bödeli

and knocks down nine fir trees and three other

trees in the Kursaal garden.

Kursaal 1950

1971

An application for a first concrete project for a

congress hall with costs of CHF 16.3 million is devel-

oped. The application is rejected by the cantonal

government.

1973

The “Kongresshaus Interlaken AG” is founded,

which aims to promote the construction of the

Kongresshaus as a private company and is respon-

sible for the procurement of finances.

1976

The Interlaken people reject the contribution of

CHF 2 million at the ballot box.

Flower clock in the Kursaal garden

1978

After the Kursaal acts as the building client, the

business progresses. A share capital increase is

very successful. Financing is secured, and con-

struction can begin.

1980

The congress building with associated foyer and a

few smaller group rooms on the lower and upper

floors is inaugurated. The architects are able to

stick to the cost proposal of CHF 6.3 million. The

Kursaal is included in the list of federal artistic an-

tiquities and placed under federal monument

protection.

1980-1984

The Kursaal is renovated on the outside.

1983/1984

The restoration works in the auditorium and in the

former gaming hall (now the ballroom) are car-

ried out.

Gaming hall (now the ballroom) 1912

1984

Renovation and restoration of the

rotunda (now known as the Rondell). The Ameri-

can Bar is temporarily converted into a café. The

café turns out to be a flop, and the hall is con-

verted into a preparation room for events.

Rotunda (known as the Rondell today) 1912

1985/1986

Glass and two doors are installed in the previously

open west entrance. The glass front of the eastern

wing is replaced by two doors; the vestibule is con-

verted into a cloakroom.

1987

The dance bar undergoes renewed reconstruction,

creating the folklore restaurant “Spycher”.

1993

When gaming machines are allowed on 1 June,

the casino opens its doors, an the boule table is

given a place of honour.

1997

Total renovation of the “le Petit Casino” restaurant

and reopening. The Kursaal Interlaken is certified

“ISO 9000”. The low ceiling in the former American

Bar is dismantled and the room is restored. This re-

sults in today's Club Casino.

2000

The Kurhausgesellschaft Interlaken AG receives a

new name: Casino Kursaal Interlaken AG (CKI).

Aerial photograph 2001

2002

On 13 June, the Federal Council grants the CKI a

type B gaming license.

2004

The Casino Kursaal Interlaken becomes a proud

member of Historic Conference Centres of Europe.

2008

After more than ten years of planning, the time

has come. The municipalities and the canton ap-

prove their contributions to a new congress hall,

which is being built on the grounds of the Kursaal.

2009

Casino Kursaal Interlaken is 150 years old. From 14

May to 18 October there is a special exhibition by

the Kurhausgesellschaft in the Tourist Museum of

the Jungfrau Region. Celebrations are postponed

to the next year due to the construction of the

new Congress House.

2010

Opening of the new congress hall (Auditorium)

and 150th anniversary on 1 May. Together with

the opening of the new congress house, Interla-

ken Congress & Events becomes a subsidiary.

Old logo

Current logo

2011

Casino Kursaal Interlaken AG changes its name to

Congress Centre Kursaal Interlaken AG

2012

The Noodlebar is opened in May, which was sold

to Kirchhofer AG 2 years later.

2014

Closure of the le Petit Casino restaurant.

2016

Departure from the Historic Conference Centres

of Europe.

2019

The Kursaal celebrates the 160th anniversary

Flowerbed on the occasion of the anniversary in 2019