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Bern · Switzerland

Zytglogge

Bern’s medieval clock tower, incorporating an astronomical clock and animated mechanical figures at a key old-town junction.

Plan a trip here Website / visitor information
Zytglogge Sergey Ashmarin · CC BY-SA 3.0
Typical visit
45 minutes
Setting
Outdoor
Region
Bern & Emmental
Last checked
10 Aug 2026

Why visit

Bern’s medieval clock tower, incorporating an astronomical clock and animated mechanical figures at a key old-town junction. A visit is centred on astronomical clock, moving figures and medieval gate tower, so the place can be understood through concrete features rather than only as a photograph stop. Its setting in Bern also connects it with the wider character of Bern & Emmental. Allowing time for the principal feature and its immediate surroundings gives useful context for travellers interested in history, architecture, heritage. It pairs naturally with other nearby sights in the same region while retaining enough historical, cultural or landscape interest to justify a dedicated visit.

What you will see

  • astronomical clock.
  • moving figures.
  • medieval gate tower.

History

The tower began as a city gate in the early thirteenth century. It was rebuilt and adapted after Bern expanded westward, and its present clock mechanism dates from the sixteenth century.

Photographs

Zytglogge

Sergey Ashmarin · CC BY-SA 3.0 · full attribution on the image credits page.

Visitor tips

  1. 1

    Allow enough time for the principal feature and its immediate setting rather than treating the stop only as a photograph point.

  2. 2

    Use the current official destination or operator information for access, maintenance, weather and seasonal changes.

About Bern & Emmental

The federal capital’s UNESCO-listed arcades and river setting combined with Emmental dairy country and castle towns.

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Combine it with

More to see around Bern

All of Bern
Old City of Bern Bern · Switzerland A compact medieval centre wrapped by the Aare, with arcaded streets, fountains, towers and sandstone civic buildings. Bern Minster Bern · Switzerland A late Gothic cathedral dominating Bern’s old town, with a richly carved portal and a tall west tower. Einstein House Bern · Switzerland A small museum in the apartment where Albert Einstein lived while working at the Swiss Patent Office in Bern. Zentrum Paul Klee Bern · Switzerland A Renzo Piano-designed arts centre holding the world’s largest collection of works by Paul Klee. Emmental Show Dairy Affoltern im Emmental · Switzerland A visitor dairy interpreting the production and regional history of Emmentaler cheese in its home landscape. Burgdorf Castle Burgdorf · Switzerland A large hilltop castle above Burgdorf containing museum displays and extensive medieval architecture.

Already worked out

Ready-made trips through Bern

All ready-made trips
Bern and Emmental 4 days · 7 stops · Moderate pace Four days centred on Bern’s medieval core and museums before continuing into Emmental for cheese heritage and Burgdorf’s hilltop castle. Swiss Cities and Museums 7 days · 14 stops · Moderate pace A seven-day rail-led survey of major Swiss cities, selecting museums, cathedrals and historic districts that give each stop a distinct cultural focus.