Bern attractions

Today, the Prison Tower (Kafiturm) in Bern is home to Polit-Forum Bern, which is quite the makeover from its 13th-century roots. A tower was first built on this site in 1256, then replaced with the current building in the 1600s. Despite ending its run as a prison in 1897, you can still see prisoner markings on the dungeon doors at this space reserved for civic meetings.

There are more than 200 historic fountains in Bern’s old town, and the striking 16th-century Zähringerbrunnen (Zähringen Fountain) is one of the most important. This memorial to the founder of Bern sits at the end of the main Kramgasse thoroughfare near the city’s landmark Clock Tower (Zytglogge) in the heart of the UNESCO–listed historic center, and is a highlight of city sightseeing tours.

The Moses Fountain (Mosesbrunnen) in Bern’s Münsterplatz was first built in the 16th century, and then replaced by the current one in 1791. Its statue depicts Moses in blue and gold robes, holding the Ten Commandments. One of the abundant sculptural fountains in Bern’s historical center, it’s an artistic place to pause and refresh—the water can be sipped.

In the center of Bern, the Heiliggeistkirche, also called the Church of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, has baroque-style architecture that stands out among the medieval and Gothic buildings surrounding it. You can appreciate the 18th-century church with just a brief visit, or attend an event for a fuller experience.

Opened in 1879, the Museum of Fine Arts (Kuntsmuseum) is one of Switzerland’s oldest art museums and houses one of the country’s most impressive collections. Here, you can see artworks by Pablo Picasso, Ferdinand Hodler, Paul Klee, Meret Oppenheim, and many more. Temporary exhibitions tend to run for a year or two, making the Kunstmuseum worthy of a revisit on return trips to Bern.