Studerstein

Studerstein in Bern is an erratic boulder, carried down by the Aare glacier, that serves as a memorial to Gottlieb Samuel Studer, a pioneer of Swiss mountaineering. It sits in the Neufeld district in northern Bern, at the edge of the Bremgartenwald.

What is the Studerstein?

The monument is a natural block of rock left behind by the Ice Age glacier. A carved line reads "Dem Andenken des Alpenforschers Gottlieb Studer" ("In memory of the Alps explorer Gottlieb Studer"). There is no sculpted frame around it: the plain boulder does the work, and it doubles as a reminder of the glaciers that shaped the Bernese landscape.

Who was Gottlieb Studer?

Studer (1804–1890) was born in Langnau im Emmental and made his career in Bern, first as a notary and later as a district governor (Regierungsstatthalter). Mountains were his real calling. In September 1843 he made the first ascent of the Wildhorn (3,248 m) in the Bernese Alps. Over the decades he reached around 650 summits, ranging from the Alps to the Pyrenees and Norway.

He was one of the founders of the Swiss Alpine Club (SAC) in 1863 and led its Bern section for ten years. He wrote up his climbs in "Berg- und Gletscherfahrten in den Hochalpen der Schweiz" and the three-volume "Über Eis und Schnee". He also drew more than 900 mountain panoramas, now held by the Burgerbibliothek Bern.

Where is it and how do you get there?

The boulder stands in a park in Neufeld, beside a wooded patch officially named "Bei den Eichen", across from a multi-storey car park. The stone inventory places it near the Neubrückstrasse and Studerstrasse junction. From the city centre it is a short ride by public transport or bike, followed by a few minutes on foot. Access is free, since the stone sits in open parkland.

What is the history of the site?

Bern hosted the Swiss National Exhibition in 1914. Its opening and closing ceremonies were held next to this stone, in a dedicated Studerstein Pavilion. Over time the memory of who the stone honoured faded, and the lettering weathered. For the 150th anniversary of SAC Bern in 2013, the club restored the inscription and unveiled the stone again.

When should you visit?

The site is open all year. Spring to autumn is the pleasant season, with the park and the neighbouring forest in leaf. It fits well into a walk, run or bike ride through Bern's northern districts toward the Bremgartenwald, and a stop takes about fifteen minutes.

Frequently asked questions

Who is the Studerstein dedicated to?

Gottlieb Samuel Studer (1804–1890), mountaineer, panorama draughtsman and SAC co-founder.

Is it the same as the Bernhard Studer memorial?

No. The geologist Bernhard Studer has a separate memorial boulder on the Grosse Schanze, opposite the Obergericht. The Neufeld stone honours Gottlieb.

What does the inscription say?

"Dem Andenken des Alpenforschers Gottlieb Studer", meaning in memory of the Alps explorer Gottlieb Studer.

Is there an entry fee?

No. The stone stands in a public park.