Münster platform

The Münsterplattform in Bern is a broad terrace beside the cathedral (Berner Münster) in the middle of the Old Town. It sits on a steep slope above the Aare, with views down over the lower quarters, and locals treat it as a shady place to sit and unwind.

What kind of place is it?

The square is roughly rectangular, about 66 to 70 m deep and 85 m wide. At its south-east corner the supporting wall stands around 31.5 m above the lane called Badgasse. The ground is man-made fill, so this is a raised public garden rather than a natural hilltop.

How was the terrace built?

Its foundation stone was laid in 1334 and the retaining walls were finished in 1514, with master builder Erhart Küng closely involved. The fill behind them was only completed after the Reformation of 1528. Until 1531 the site was a graveyard; afterwards it became a park. Lime trees grew here until the 18th century, when horse chestnuts replaced them. The cathedral tower beside it was completed in 1893.

What can you see here?

• Chestnut-shaded paths and benches facing the Aare and the Matte district.
• A plaque on the south balustrade for student Theobald Weinzäpfli, who fell over the wall on horseback in 1654 and survived.
• Carlo E. Lischetti's artwork "Münster-Plattform", set into a lawn.
• The story of the 1986 excavations that uncovered the Berner Skulpturenfund, statues dumped as rubble after the Reformation.
• A monument to Berchtold V of Zähringen stood here from 1847 to 1961; it now stands at the Nydegghöfli.

How do you get there?

The terrace lies next to the cathedral in the pedestrian-friendly Old Town. To reach the Matte quarter by the Aare, ride the public Mattelift, an electric lift that opened in 1897.

When should you visit?

Pick a clear day, when the chestnuts give shade and the river view is sharp. Pair it with a climb up the cathedral tower: according to ADAC, it takes 254 steps to the first terrace and 344 to the second (open April to October).

Frequently asked questions

Is there an entry fee? No, it is an open public square.

What was here before the park? A cemetery, until 1531.

How do I get down to the Matte district? Take the Mattelift, which has linked the terrace to the riverside since 1897.

Was the founder of Bern commemorated here? Yes, a Berchtold V of Zähringen monument stood on the terrace from 1847 to 1961 and is now at the Nydegghöfli.