Tower · UNESCO
Zytglogge
Bern, Switzerland
Bern's medieval clock tower with an astronomical clock and a daily show of mechanical figures.
Neighbourhood · Switzerland · Bern
Old Town of Bern
A medieval, arcaded old town inside a loop of the Aare, protected as a World Heritage Site.
UNESCO World Heritage Free to enter about 2 h
For storytellers
Why Old Town of Bern matters
The old town of Bern is one of Europe's best-preserved medieval centres, with six kilometres of covered arcades, painted fountains and sandstone houses. Everything is walkable, from the clock tower to the cathedral to the river. Wander the lanes, peek into cellar shops and stop at a café for a Swiss pastry.
Talking points
- Colourful fountains stand along the main streets.
- The arcades keep shoppers dry.
- The old town sits on a high peninsula above the Aare.
Free to read aloud or adapt in your video. Check facts that matter to you against an official source before you publish.
More in Bern
Church, mosque or temple · UNESCO
Bern Minster
Bern, Switzerland
Switzerland's tallest cathedral tower rises above the old town, with a view from the top.
Park
Bear Park
Bern, Switzerland
A riverside park where Bern's bears, the city's symbol, live beside the Aare.
Garden
Rosengarten Bern
Bern, Switzerland
A hillside rose garden with the classic panorama of Bern's old town.
Square
Bundesplatz and Federal Palace
Bern, Switzerland
The square in front of Switzerland's parliament, with a fountain display and a grand domed building.
Museum
Einstein House
Bern, Switzerland
A small museum in the apartment where Albert Einstein lived in Bern.
Also nearby
Within about 40 km, closest first.