Bern Minster

Bern Minster (Berner Münster) in Bern, Switzerland, is the city's principal church and the largest late-Gothic church in the country. It rises in the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and its tower, at roughly 100.6 m, is the tallest church tower in Switzerland.

When and how was it built?

The foundation stone was laid on 11 March 1421. Matthäus Ensinger, a master builder from Strasbourg with several major churches already behind him, drew up the plan. Construction dragged on for generations, and the west tower stood unfinished for some three centuries. Its upper octagon and spire were only added between 1889 and 1893, which is why the building mixes late-Gothic work with a 19th-century finish.

After the Reformation the church passed to the Protestant community, and it remains a Reformed church today. Despite the popular name "cathedral", it is formally a minster.

What should you look at?

Start at the main portal. Above the doorway, a Last Judgment relief shows more than two hundred figures. The portal sculptures were carved by Erhart Küng between 1460 and 1480, and the porch and relief were restored from 1984 to 1991.

Inside, look up at the vaults and across to the stained glass and carved choir stalls. Seven bells hang in the tower, the largest weighing 10.5 tonnes.

Is the tower climb worth it?

Yes, it offers one of the best views in town. There are 254 steps to the first terrace and 344 to the second. From the top you see the loop of the Aare, the Old Town roofs and, in clear weather, the Bernese Alps. Tower hours change by season, so check bernermuenster.ch before you go.

How do you get there, and when should you visit?

The minster stands on Münsterplatz, a short walk from the main railway station through the Old Town. Go in the morning for fewer crowds and good light on the facade, and save the tower for a clear day.

Frequently asked questions

Is it a Catholic cathedral? No. It has been Protestant since the Reformation. The word "cathedral" is a common label, but the building is officially a minster.

How tall is the tower? About 100.6 m, the tallest church tower in Switzerland.

How many steps are there? 254 to the first terrace and 344 to the second.

When was it completed? Building began in 1421, and the tower was finished between 1889 and 1893.