Speiz is found on the shores of Lake Thun. It is an old city and was first mentioned in documents c761 as Spiets. There is also evidence of Bronze and Iron age settlements. Bronze Age graves have been found and contained bronze axes, knives, and cloak pins dating back to 1750-1500 BCE.  Today the city has a population of almost 13 000 people - 8.4% of those being foreign nationals. German is the main language. Spiez Castle is one of the main tourist attractions. It was built in 933, and re-built between the 15th and 18 centuries.