Why does a Swiss pier cost 5 francs?
Because the little wooden pier in Iseltwald, on Lake Brienz, became a photo spot after a Korean TV drama was filmed there. Since 2023 a turnstile charges five francs for a photo on it. According to 20 Minuten, the money goes mainly to the upkeep of the site, rubbish disposal and cleaning the toilets.
Ep. 47 · This is Ueli · 61 seconds. Watch
The real rule
Why the Swiss laugh, and what it means if you're new here.
The Bernese commune of Iseltwald has a wooden pier that became famous through the Korean TV drama Crash Landing on You. Visitors come for the same photo, and since 2023 the pier has a turnstile and a fee; according to 20 Minuten, the money goes mainly to upkeep, rubbish and toilets. As a visitor, pay the five francs, take your photo, and make room for the next person.
Blüemli's verdict: Ding. Five francs. Since 2023: CHF 5. In 2024: about CHF 244,000.
DREHKREUZ: literally: “turning cross”; really: the turnstile Ueli's Word
Be like Ueli. Pay the five francs. Then make room.
Learn more: Zurich, Geneva or Basel?
The rule, explained
20 Minuten reported it: a selfie on the wooden pier in Iseltwald, in the canton of Bern, costs five francs. A turnstile has stood there since 2023. In 2024 the commune took in CHF 244,000 from it. According to 20 Minuten, the money goes mainly to upkeep of the site, rubbish disposal and cleaning the toilets. The pier became famous through the Korean TV drama Crash Landing on You (2019 to 2020), which was filmed there. Now visitors come for the same photo on the same little pier. Ueli joins the trend, pays, poses, and steps aside.
Sources: 20 Minuten, Iseltwald: Berner Gemeinde verdient mit Selfie-Schranke Viertelmillion
Questions people ask
How much does the Iseltwald pier cost?
Five francs, since a turnstile was installed in 2023 (20 Minuten).
What is the money from the Iseltwald pier used for?
Mainly the upkeep of the site, rubbish disposal and cleaning the toilets (20 Minuten).
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