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Zeitglockenturm (The Clock Tower)
The tower was built in the 12th century and was Bern's first city gate to the west. The famous clock was created in 1530. The mechanical figurines, which are set in motion on the clock's east side every hour, tend to fascinate tourists. It is far more interesting, however, to see how the clock's mechanism works, and it is recommended to join one of the tourist office's guided tours, which is also the only way to get inside the tower.
Kramgasse
Tel: (031) 328 1212.
Website: www.berninfo.com
Admission charge (for guided tour).
The Bear Pits
According to local legend it was city founder Berchtold V von Zähringen's killing of a bear on the Aare peninsula that led to the city's obsession with bears, and their influence upon its name and coat of arms. Bear pits have been a feature of the city for centuries, and the current ones, which house two brown bears, have been around since 1857. A project was launched in 2003 that will turn the bear pits into a future bear park that will enable the bears to be outdoors at all times and have the opportunity to swim and fish in the water of the River Aare for the first time ever.
Grosser Muristalden 6
Tel: (031) 328 1212.
Free admission.
Münster Cathedral
Switzerland's largest church building, Bern's cathedral is a fascinating example of late gothic architecture. It took generations to build, and some features took centuries to complete. Building started in 1421, and the spire was finished in 1893. The cathedral has Switzerland's highest church tower, and the views from there are very impressive.
Münsterplatz 1
Tel: (031) 312 0462.
Website: www.bernermuenster.ch
Free admission.
House of Parliament
This house was built in stages from 1852 to 1902 and is the seat of the Swiss government and parliament. The central domed hall and the two chambers on the sides feature numerous art works by Swiss artists. The new-look Parliament Square outside opened in 2004 and has proved popular with tourists and locals alike. It has a water display with 26 fountains that represent the Swiss cantons located right in front of the House of Parliament.
Bundesplatz
Tel: (031) 322 2111.
Website: www.bundeshaus.ch or www.bundesplatz.ch
Free admission.
Botanical Garden
Bern's Botanical Garden covers 2 hectares (5 acres) in the heart of the city and is a lovely green space as well as an impressive collection of plants. Some 6,000 species grow here either outdoors or in the greenhouses. The show houses include a fern house, a palm house and a house exhibiting vegetation in semi-desert landscapes. The Alpinum displays alpine plants and gives visitors a delightful introduction to the Swiss flora.
Altenbergrain 21
Tel: (031) 631 4945/44.
Website: www.boga.unibe.ch
Free admission.
Zentrum Paul Klee
Since June 2005, the Zentrum Paul Klee has been presenting to the public the world's most important collection of works by Paul Klee (4,000 works, or 40% of his oeuvre). The centre constantly presents different aspects of the collection, putting on attractive temporary exhibitions and mediating art in general to children, young people and adults.
Monument im Fruchtland 3
Tel: (031) 359 0101.
Website: www.zpk.org
Admission charge.
The tower was built in the 12th century and was Bern's first city gate to the west. The famous clock was created in 1530. The mechanical figurines, which are set in motion on the clock's east side every hour, tend to fascinate tourists. It is far more interesting, however, to see how the clock's mechanism works, and it is recommended to join one of the tourist office's guided tours, which is also the only way to get inside the tower.
Kramgasse
Tel: (031) 328 1212.
Website: www.berninfo.com
Admission charge (for guided tour).
The Bear Pits
According to local legend it was city founder Berchtold V von Zähringen's killing of a bear on the Aare peninsula that led to the city's obsession with bears, and their influence upon its name and coat of arms. Bear pits have been a feature of the city for centuries, and the current ones, which house two brown bears, have been around since 1857. A project was launched in 2003 that will turn the bear pits into a future bear park that will enable the bears to be outdoors at all times and have the opportunity to swim and fish in the water of the River Aare for the first time ever.
Grosser Muristalden 6
Tel: (031) 328 1212.
Free admission.
Münster Cathedral
Switzerland's largest church building, Bern's cathedral is a fascinating example of late gothic architecture. It took generations to build, and some features took centuries to complete. Building started in 1421, and the spire was finished in 1893. The cathedral has Switzerland's highest church tower, and the views from there are very impressive.
Münsterplatz 1
Tel: (031) 312 0462.
Website: www.bernermuenster.ch
Free admission.
House of Parliament
This house was built in stages from 1852 to 1902 and is the seat of the Swiss government and parliament. The central domed hall and the two chambers on the sides feature numerous art works by Swiss artists. The new-look Parliament Square outside opened in 2004 and has proved popular with tourists and locals alike. It has a water display with 26 fountains that represent the Swiss cantons located right in front of the House of Parliament.
Bundesplatz
Tel: (031) 322 2111.
Website: www.bundeshaus.ch or www.bundesplatz.ch
Free admission.
Botanical Garden
Bern's Botanical Garden covers 2 hectares (5 acres) in the heart of the city and is a lovely green space as well as an impressive collection of plants. Some 6,000 species grow here either outdoors or in the greenhouses. The show houses include a fern house, a palm house and a house exhibiting vegetation in semi-desert landscapes. The Alpinum displays alpine plants and gives visitors a delightful introduction to the Swiss flora.
Altenbergrain 21
Tel: (031) 631 4945/44.
Website: www.boga.unibe.ch
Free admission.
Zentrum Paul Klee
Since June 2005, the Zentrum Paul Klee has been presenting to the public the world's most important collection of works by Paul Klee (4,000 works, or 40% of his oeuvre). The centre constantly presents different aspects of the collection, putting on attractive temporary exhibitions and mediating art in general to children, young people and adults.
Monument im Fruchtland 3
Tel: (031) 359 0101.
Website: www.zpk.org
Admission charge.
