Bern

1. Bern’s Fountains

• How has water influenced the development of Bern?
  • The availability of abundant water supplies has played a significant role in the growth and development of Bern.
• How many public fountains are there in Bern?
  • Bern has more than 100 public fountains, which were once the city's main source of household water and places for social interaction.
• What purpose do the fountains serve today?
  • Today, Bern’s fountains provide free drinkable water to both residents and visitors.
• What were the original fountains in Bern made of?
  • The original fountains were made of wood but were replaced in 1550 by stone works of art.
• What figures are depicted in the fountains?
  • Many fountains depict allegorical figures such as Justice and the Ogre.
  • Others depict biblical figures like Moses and Samson.
• Do the fountains serve any functional purpose besides providing water?
  • Yes! Some fountains are located in the middle of busy streets and act as traffic calmers.
• Are there guided tours related to Bern's fountains?
  • Yes! Visitors can join water-themed walking tours to learn more about the historical and artistic significance of Bern’s fountains.

2. Bern Cathedral

• What is the Bern Cathedral?
  • Bern Cathedral is the largest and most important late medieval church in Switzerland.
• What is the function of the Bern Cathedral?
  • It is a functioning parish church and dominates the landscape of Bern.
• When was the current Bern Cathedral built?
  • In 1421, when Bern was on the ascendancy as a city-state, the current church was built around the existing church, which was then torn down.
• What is significant about the stained glass windows?
  • The stained glass windows, depicting the Passion, date back to 1441.
• What happened during the Reformation in 1528?
  • Most of the decor was removed and destroyed.
• What statues were rediscovered in 1986?
  • Statues that were used as filler when the terrace was built were rediscovered in 1986.
• What happened to the organ?
  • The organ was silent for 200 years after the Reformation but has been restored to working order.

Münsterplatz 1, 3000 Bern, Switzerland, Phone: +41-3-13-12-04-62

3. Einstein House

• Where did Einstein live and study in Bern?
  • Einstein, a German-born theoretical physicist, lived and studied in Bern from 1902 to 1909.
• What is the Einstein House?
  • Einstein House is a joint initiative between the American and European Physical Societies and was declared a Historic Site in 2015.
• Where did Einstein and his family live in Bern?
  • He and his wife and son occupied the second-floor apartment for 2 years.
• Where did Einstein develop his Theory of Relativity?
  • It was in this apartment that he developed his Theory of Relativity.
• What has been restored in the Einstein House?
  • The apartment and the spiral stairs leading to it have been restored to reflect the period.
• What can visitors see on the third floor?
  • On the third floor, there is an exhibition of Einstein's life and works.
• What does the Zytglogge clock tower tour explore?
  • A tour of the Zytglogge clock tower, with its 15th-century astronomical clock, explores Einstein's concept of time.

Kramgasse 49, 3011 Bern, Switzerland, Phone: +41-3-13-12-00-91

4. Kunstmuseum Bern

• Where is the Museum of Fine Art housed?
  • The Museum of Fine Art is housed in a late 19th-century Renaissance Revival building.
• How many items are in the museum's collection?
  • There are more than 50,000 items in the museum's collection.
• What does the permanent exhibition showcase?
  • The permanent exhibition chronicles Swiss and international art from the Middle Ages to the present.
• Which famous artists have works in the museum?
  • There are works from Cézanne, Matisse, Chagall, van Gogh, Picasso, Dalí, Monet, and others.
• What is the Gurlitt Collection?
  • In May 2014, the museum was offered the controversial Gurlitt Collection, parts of which were thought to have been looted during Hitler's regime.
• What types of works are in the Gurlitt Collection?
  • Approximately 1,500 works, including old masters and examples of Expressionism, Impressionism, and Cubism, were accepted and exhibited in 2018.
• Where is the Kunstmuseum Bern located?
  • Kunstmuseum Bern, Hodlerstrasse 8-12, 3011 Bern, Phone: +41-3-13-28-09-44

5. Bundeshaus

• When did work begin on the parliamentary buildings in Bern?
  • Four years after Bern was declared the capital of Switzerland, work began on the parliamentary buildings.
• How was the parliamentary complex built?
  • The 300-meter complex was built in three phases.
• When were the different sections completed?
  • In 1852, work on the west wing began, and in 1884 the mirror image east wing was completed.
• When was the central section finished?
  • The central section, with its 64m high copper dome, was completed in the early 1900s.
• How many artists contributed to the decoration?
  • Thirty-eight artists contributed to the interior and exterior decoration.
• What did the Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired donate in 2018?
  • In 2018, the Swiss Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired donated a 1:130 scale model of the building to the city, for the public to touch.
• Where is the bronze cast model located?
  • The bronze cast model is situated behind the buildings.
• Where is the Bundeshaus located?
  • Bundeshaus, Bundesplatz 3, 3005 Bern, Switzerland

6. Kunsthalle Bern

• When was the Kunsthalle Bern established?
  • This large art exposition hall, on Helvetiaplatz, was established in 1917 by the Bernese Artists' Society.
• What is the aim of the Kunsthalle Bern?
  • The aim of the institution is to forge new paths in art by exhibiting contemporary art and stimulating discussion on social issues and aesthetics.
• Why did the Kunsthalle Bern gain prominence in 1969?
  • It came to prominence in 1969 due to a themed exhibition, entitled 'When Attitude Becomes Form'.
• How many exhibitions does Kunsthalle Bern host annually?
  • There are between six and seven group and individual exhibitions per annum, featuring well-known and new Bernese, Swiss, and international artists.
• When was the Kunsthalle Bern Foundation formed?
  • The Kunsthalle Bern Foundation was formed in 1988 by collectors of contemporary art, in order to purchase relevant artworks.
• What types of events does Kunsthalle Bern offer?
  • The Kunsthalle offers public tours, lectures, and debates.
• Where is the Kunsthalle Bern located?
  • Kunsthalle Bern, Helvetiaplatz 1, 3005 Bern, Phone: +41-31-3-50-00-40

7. Historical Museum

• When was the Historical Museum built?
  • The Historical Museum was built in 1894 but modeled on castles of the 15th and 16th centuries.
• When was the glass-fronted extension added?
  • A glass-fronted extension was added in 2009.
• What is the goal of the museum?
  • The museum seeks to present the grand sweep of history from the Stone Ages to the present day.
• How many objects are in the museum's collection?
  • More than half a million objects chronicle world history, inter alia, through archaeological finds, ethnography, and numismatics.
• What do the permanent exhibitions focus on?
  • Permanent exhibitions focus on Bern's highs and lows, its captured treasures, and its current status.
• What types of temporary exhibitions are held?
  • Temporary exhibitions include diverse themes such as man's migration and Nativity scenes from around the world.
• How much space is dedicated to Einstein?
  • A 1000 square meter space is devoted to the life and work of Einstein.
• Where is the Historical Museum located?
  • Helvetiaplatz 5, CH-3005 Bern, Phone +41-3-13-50-77-11

8. Altes Tramdepot

• What is the Altes Tramdepot?
  • As its name suggests, this brewery and restaurant are housed in a former tram depot.
• When was the building constructed?
  • The building dates back to 1889 and is situated on the Aare River, with views of the Bärenpark from the summer terrace.
• Where is the brewery located within the restaurant?
  • The brewery is in the center of the restaurant and brews several times a week.
• How much beer does Altes Tramdepot produce annually?
  • It produces more than 3000 hectoliters of perennial and seasonal beers each year.
• How many people can the restaurant accommodate?
  • The restaurant can seat 500 people in four sections, including a hall and a beer garden.
• Are guided tours available?
  • There are guided tours daily, with more in-depth information sessions on Saturdays.
• What events are held at the brewery?
  • Regular talks on Swiss beer and other spirits are held at the brewery.
• Where is the Altes Tramdepot located?
  • Altes Tramdepot, Grosser Muristalden 6, CH-3006 Bern, Phone: +41-3-13-68-14-15

9. Zentrum Paul Klee

• Who was Paul Klee?
  • Paul Klee was an artist in the Expressionist, Cubist, and Surrealist genres.
• What were Paul Klee’s other interests?
  • He was an avid reader of literature and studied fine art.
• What was Paul Klee known for in his artwork?
  • He was commended on his line work but felt that he struggled with color.
• What did Paul Klee write about?
  • He wrote books on aesthetics, color, and art theory.
• Where did Paul Klee teach?
  • He taught design and architecture at the Bauhaus School of Art.
• What does Paul Klee’s diary reveal?
  • Paul Klee kept a diary from 1897 to 1918, which reveals his dry, often childlike humor.
• What is housed at Zentrum Paul Klee?
  • The Center (Zentrum Paul Klee) has more than 4000 of his paintings, aquarelles, and drawings, spanning his entire career.
• What additional facilities does Zentrum Paul Klee offer?
  • There is a creativity area for children, an auditorium for musical events, and various venues for seminars.
• Where is Zentrum Paul Klee located?
  • Monument im Fruchtland 3, 3000 Bern 31, Phone +41-3-13-59-01-01