Zytglogge (Clock Tower), Bern (must see)

The Clock Tower is Bern’s most famous medieval landmark and one of the city’s most important historical monuments. Built around 1218–1220, it originally served as a guard tower and western gateway in Bern’s early defensive walls. As the city expanded, the tower lost its military role and was later used as a prison, civic clock tower, archive, storeroom, and even an air-raid shelter.

The tower rises 54.5 metres and can be identified by its sandstone and limestone exterior, decorative corner blocks, late Gothic cornice, and steep red-tiled spire. The upper section was largely shaped during an 18th-century renovation. Ornamental urns, spire lights, a gilded knob, and a weather vane displaying Bern’s coat of arms crown the structure.

Its greatest attraction is the astronomical clock. The external astronomical display face and puppet show date back to the 15th century, while the heavy internal mechanical gear movement was completely replaced in 1530. Stand east of the tower and examine the lower-middle section of the stone facade to find the Astro-Dial, which uses a rotating disc and gilded pointers to track the zodiac signs, solar position, and moon phases.

If the figures' performance interests you, glance just to the left of this dial to find the small stone niche-stage, where you can watch the automated figurines move in sequence. A golden rooster crows, a jester rings bells, bears parade across the façade, and Chronos, the figure of Time, turns an hourglass before the hour is struck. The display is especially impressive at noon, when more strikes and movements can be observed.

Guided tours reveal the tower’s interior, including the massive gears, weights, and historic rooms once used for administrative purposes. Since 1979, these upper spaces have been cleared and opened mainly for tours. Visitors who climb the approximately 130 steps are rewarded with panoramic views over Bern’s tiled rooftops, narrow streets, and, on clear days, the Bernese Alps.