Berner Münster (The Cathedral of Bern), Bern (must see)

The Cathedral of Bern is the largest and most important church in the city and one of Switzerland’s finest examples of late Gothic architecture. Standing prominently in the Old Town, it was conceived as a powerful symbol of Bern’s growing wealth and political importance. Construction began in 1421 on the site of an earlier church, but the project continued for centuries. Its tower was not completed until 1893, when it reached a height of 100.6 metres, making it the tallest church tower in Switzerland.

The cathedral’s most remarkable exterior feature is its main portal, which presents the Last Judgement through 47 large statues and about 170 smaller figures. They are set into a recessed, central entryway arch on the cathedral's west portico. The composition shows the righteous being welcomed into heaven and the wicked being led toward punishment. Remarkably, much of this sculptural ensemble survived the destruction of religious images during the Protestant Reformation and is now regarded as one of Europe’s finest late medieval representations of the subject.

Inside, the tall three-aisled basilica layout—designed without a transept—features slender columns, ribbed vaulting, and large stained-glass windows create an airy and impressive Gothic interior. Visitors can also admire the side chapels, historic altars, finely carved choir stalls, and important stained glass dating from the 15th century. One particularly memorable window depicts a Dance of Death, emphasizing the medieval belief that death comes equally to people of every social rank. Finding this historical stained glass is done by walking down the right side of the nave and entering the quiet side chapels along the southern aisle.

Those able to manage the long stairway can climb the tower for panoramic views over Bern’s red-tiled roofs, the Aare River, and the Bernese Alps. The climb is especially rewarding in clear weather. Visitors should be aware that the tower contains Switzerland’s largest bell, weighing around ten tons. Climb the narrow, spiral stone staircase within the tower to the wooden belfry chamber, where you can have a meeting with the massive, ten-ton dark bronze bell cast in 1611. Standing nearby when it rings can be extremely loud, so hearing protection is advisable.

The cathedral terrace behind the building also offers peaceful gardens and elevated river views.