Bern Minster
Berner Münster
Switzerland's tallest church. Its roughly 100-meter bell tower has 312 steps to climb for views over the red-roofed old town and the distant Alps.
Construction of the minster began in 1421, and its tower was completed in 1893. It is Switzerland's most important late Gothic building. The sculpture group of the Last Judgment above the main portal contains more than 200 figures, and its colors are remarkably well preserved. Climbing the tower requires a separate ticket (about 5 Swiss francs). From the top you can see the Old Town, the Aare River, and, on clear days, the Jungfrau peaks. Beside the church, the Minster Terrace is a shady green square overlooking the river bend and the Matte district, and the Matte Lift takes you down to the riverside.
Opening hours
Summer approx. 10:00–17:00, shorter in winter; open Sunday after midday
Nearby sights
- Old City of Bern & Arcades
- Einsteinhaus
- Kirchenfeldbrücke
- Zytglogge
- Kindlifresserbrunnen & Old Town Fountains
- Kornhaus & Kornhauskeller
- Swiss Alpine Museum
- Bern Historical Museum & Einstein Museum