Aarberg is a historic town and a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

With an area of 7.93 km2 (3.06 sq mi), Aarberg borders Bargen, Kappelen, Lyss, Radelfingen and Seedorf.

The old town grew up around the edge of the island with a large open plaza in the middle.

In addition to the old town, Aarberg also includes the new outer quarter, and the villages of Spins, Mühletal and Grafenmoos.

This bridge was a key river crossing from Bern to Büren an der Aare.

The count had recently acquired the rulership over this region and needed a central location from which to rule.

Initially the town was unwalled with two rows of wooden houses around a central narrow plaza.

Following fires in 1419 and 1477 the town was rebuilt in stone and set back about 10 m (33 ft) creating the current, impressive central lens shaped plaza.

In 1358 the Graf (or Count) Peter von Aarberg was in financial difficulties and began looking for someone to buy the town.

After years of unsuccessful attempts, in 1377-79 he was able to sell the town and his rights as ruler to Bern.

The government of the town was a mayor or Schultheiß and a 24-member council (12 nobles and 12 citizens) under a vogt who lived in the Amthaus (built in 1608-10) and had the rights of high justice.

The large central market plaza in the town was one of the largest trans-shipment centers in Switzerland.

[4] The town also tried to expand into farming by purchasing Alp Chuffort ob Lignières, Spins and Mühletal.

During the Paris July Revolution, in 1830, the commanders of the Swiss Army moved to Aarberg.

The fortified town was a key strong point on the western border between Geneva and Basel.

The Bern-Lyss-Biel rail line bypassed Aarberg completely, reducing the amount of trade flowing through the town.

Neither the Broye Valley line (from Lyss to Lausanne, built in 1876) or the creation of paved roads made a major change.

At the same time, the Hagneck canal diverted a portion of the Aare and prevented the periodic flooding of the town.

New quarters grew up in areas that had been covered by the Aare: Brückfeld, Leimernacher, Sunnmatt und Mühlau.

Business shifted from transportation to farming, concrete construction and precision parts manufacturing.

It was an important market town and trans-shipment stop for trade along the river as well as around Bern.

The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent an Eagle rising Sable beaked and membered Or and langued Gules on a Mount of 3 Coupeaux of the last.

[10] The historical population is given in the following chart:[4][14] The covered wooden bridge and the Liechti house are listed as Swiss heritage site of national significance.

The entire old town of Aarberg is part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

[15] The large round plaza in Aarberg is used for numerous markets, light shows and open-air theatre.

In the tertiary sector; 304 or 27.8% were in wholesale or retail sales or the repair of motor vehicles, 26 or 2.4% were in the movement and storage of goods, 96 or 8.8% were in a hotel or restaurant, 11 or 1.0% were in the information industry, 23 or 2.1% were the insurance or financial industry, 65 or 5.9% were technical professionals or scientists, 84 or 7.7% were in education and 355 or 32.5% were in health care.

[10] From the 2000 census[update], 494 or 13.0% were Roman Catholic, while 2,653 or 69.8% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church.

The wettest month is June during which time Aarberg receives an average of 110 mm (4.3 in) of rain or snow.

This is followed by three years of obligatory lower Secondary school where the students are separated according to ability and aptitude.