Switzerland Guide
Bern
The Münster
Bern's late-Gothic Münster is unmistakeable, its feathery spire – the highest in Switzerland – towering over the Old Town and its sonorous bells dominating the quiet city. It's a reverential place, both for its lofty, gloomy interior and the terrific views from its tower.
Entry is through the right-hand gate, and the hushed interior is immediately impressive. The immense roof span is laced with vaulting (1572–3), the aisles are flanked by rows of porches and small chapels, and the nave, with square pillars placed diagonally and a pulpit dating from 1470, channels attention towards the stained glass of the choir. The 1520s choir stalls are marvellous, carved with faces of the prophets and much intricate detail of ordinary life. The gorgeous stained-glass windows of the choir date from 1441–50, although a hailstorm in 1520 damaged the right-hand windows (two replacements were installed in 1868).
You can also climb the tower, the tallest in Switzerland. The way up is just inside the church door (closes 30min early; Fr.4), but be warned: this is a 100m climb up a narrow spiral of 254 stone stairs. The 360-degree vistas over the whole city, most of the surrounding countryside, and out towards the Alps, are dreamy.
On the south side of the church is the Münsterplattform, a buttressed terrace above the Aare which took about a hundred years from 1334 to build. Abandoned icons were dumped here during the Reformation, but later it was planted with lime and chestnut trees and given elegant Baroque corner pavilions in order to serve as an open promenade, which is how it has remained. The views of the Aare and of silhouetted trams creeping along the soaring Kirchenfeldbrücke are spectacular.
Opening time: Easter– Oct Tues– Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 11.30am–5pm; Nov– Easter Tues– Fri 10am– noon & 2–4pm, Sat until 5pm, Sun 11.30am–2pm
Price: Free
Website: www.bernermuenster.ch