Anna-Seiler-Brunnen (Anna Seiler Fountain), Bern
Anna Seiler Fountain (Anna-Seiler-Brunnen) is a historical fountain located on Marktgasse in the Old City of Bern. It stands at the upper end of the street and commemorates Anna Seiler, the founder of Bern's first hospital. The fountain, a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance, forms part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site in Bern's Old City.
Constructed in 1545, the fountain features a statue of Anna Seiler dressed in a blue gown, pouring water into a small dish, symbolizing her nurturing spirit and commitment to healthcare. The pillar supporting the statue originated from the ancient Roman town of Aventicum, now Avenches.
Anna Seiler bequeathed her house to the city in her will on November 29, 1354, specifying that it be transformed into a hospital with 13 beds and two attendants. Known initially as the Seilerin Spital, it later moved to the Dominican Order's Saint Michael's Island monastery in 1531 and was renamed the Inselspital. The modern Inselspital remains a thriving healthcare institution with about 6,000 employees, treating approximately 220,000 patients annually. Anna Seiler Fountain serves as a testament to Seiler's legacy and her lasting impact on healthcare in Bern.
Constructed in 1545, the fountain features a statue of Anna Seiler dressed in a blue gown, pouring water into a small dish, symbolizing her nurturing spirit and commitment to healthcare. The pillar supporting the statue originated from the ancient Roman town of Aventicum, now Avenches.
Anna Seiler bequeathed her house to the city in her will on November 29, 1354, specifying that it be transformed into a hospital with 13 beds and two attendants. Known initially as the Seilerin Spital, it later moved to the Dominican Order's Saint Michael's Island monastery in 1531 and was renamed the Inselspital. The modern Inselspital remains a thriving healthcare institution with about 6,000 employees, treating approximately 220,000 patients annually. Anna Seiler Fountain serves as a testament to Seiler's legacy and her lasting impact on healthcare in Bern.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Bern. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Anna-Seiler-Brunnen (Anna Seiler Fountain) on Map
Sight Name: Anna-Seiler-Brunnen (Anna Seiler Fountain)
Sight Location: Bern, Switzerland (See walking tours in Bern)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Bern, Switzerland (See walking tours in Bern)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Nearby Sights
Walking Tours in Bern, Switzerland
Create Your Own Walk in Bern
Creating your own self-guided walk in Bern is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Bern's Historical Churches
They say architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness. While the outside appearances of historical churches in Bern beckon seekers of beauty and tranquility, the ethereal atmosphere within embraces the visitor with a sense of timeless serenity.
Enveloped within Bern's historic old town, the Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggeistkirche) is one of the largest... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Enveloped within Bern's historic old town, the Church of the Holy Ghost (Heiliggeistkirche) is one of the largest... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.9 Km or 1.2 Miles
Walking Through Old Town of Bern
During his visit in 1779, German writer Johann Wolfgang von Goethe did not hesitate to call Bern the most beautiful city he had ever seen.
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, who established the city on a narrow peninsula formed by a bend in the Aare River. According to local legend, the duke vowed to name his new settlement after the first... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Bern, the capital of Switzerland, was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, who established the city on a narrow peninsula formed by a bend in the Aare River. According to local legend, the duke vowed to name his new settlement after the first... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.6 Km or 1.6 Miles
Fountains and Statues Walking Tour
With over 100 public fountains in the Old Town alone, Bern has a well-deserved reputation as the "City of Fountains". During medieval times, local life revolved around fountains as they provided water for residents and served as locations for news exchange and social gatherings.
Throughout history, Bernese residents have cherished their fountains and decorated them with elaborate... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Throughout history, Bernese residents have cherished their fountains and decorated them with elaborate... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.6 Km or 1 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Swiss Sweets and Pastries
Among other things that make Switzerland popular around the world, chocolate is definitely the one. Still, chocolate isn't the only Swiss-made sweet deserving attention, as there are plenty of baked products, such as Magenbrot, Vermicelles, and Biberli, to mention but a few, that are well worth...














