I'm taking you to discover one of my favorite places in Bern

A must-see place in Bern

The Tower Clock (in German 'Zytglogge') is located in the old town of Bern, the capital of Switzerland. More precisely, it is situated on Bear Plaza (Bärenplatz), near the main shopping street of the city, Confederation Street (Bundesgasse).

About the building

It was built in the early 13th century and underwent several renovations over time.

The tower is approximately 75 meters tall and is constructed of stone. It is equipped with an astronomical clock that was added in the early 17th century. The clock not only displays the time but also indicates the date, phases of the moon, zodiac signs, and planetary movements.

The Clock Tower in pictures

Important Dates in the History of the Tower Clock

Early 13th century: Construction of the initial wooden tower to serve as the city gate
1405 : Reconstruction of the tower in stone
Early 17th century: Addition of the astronomical clock to the tower
1770-1771 : Reconstruction of the tower in its current appearance, including the addition of stone sculptures on the facade.
1983 : Inscription of the Old Town of Bern, including the Clock Tower, on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Today, the Clock Tower is considered one of the most important symbols of the city of Bern and remains a popular tourist attraction.

These dates represent only a small part of the history of the Clock Tower

An unusual fact associated with the Clock Tower

An unusual fact associated with the Clock Tower in Bern is that the astronomical clock of the tower features a gilded metal rooster that flaps its wings and crows at every full hour. This rooster was added to the clock in the mid-18th century and is still operational today.

But that's not all: the rooster also serves a more practical function. In addition to crowing, it flaps its wings once every hour to signal to the city's residents, who didn't have watches at the time, that time was passing and it was time to go about their activities.

Moreover, the astronomical clock of the Clock Tower is also considered one of the oldest and most complex in Europe, with many movements and animations occurring each time the clock strikes.

The dimensions of the Clock Tower

The Clock Tower in Bern is an impressive medieval structure standing at approximately 75 meters in height. The tower's base is square, measuring around 11 meters in width and length. Built with ashlar stone, it features thick walls and wooden beams to support the structure.
Atop the tower is a copper spire measuring about 24 meters in height. Inside the tower, a spiral staircase leads to the top, offering visitors a panoramic view of the city of Bern
The astronomical clock, added in the 17th century, is also visible from the outside and is considered one of the highlights of the tower tour.