Bern Minster and Tower

Bern Minster, known locally as the Münster, is the largest church in Switzerland and the city's great Gothic landmark. Construction began in 1421, and the building grew slowly over the following centuries, with the main tower only completed in the late nineteenth century. At around one hundred metres, the tower is the tallest church tower in the country, and it dominates the skyline from every direction. The main portal on the west front is the artistic highlight. Its carved Last Judgment scene, with hundreds of small figures in stone, shows saints, angels and the damned in vivid detail, and it survived the Reformation because the city kept it as a historical work. Inside, the nave is tall and spare, with fan vaulting, stained glass and carved choir stalls that reward a slow walk. The church is Protestant, as Bern adopted the Reformation in the sixteenth century, and it remains a working church, so services and concerts affect visiting times. Entry to the nave is free, which makes the Minster an easy stop between walks along the Old Town.

The reason many visitors come is the tower. The climb is about 344 steps up a narrow spiral staircase, and it ends at a platform at the base of the spire with a wide view across the red roofs of the Old Town, the bend of the Aare and, on a clear day, the Bernese Alps. The staircase is tight and two-way traffic can be awkward, so go early when it is quiet.

It is not recommended if you have a fear of heights or limited mobility. A small entry fee applies for the tower, and the last admission is before closing, so allow time. Opening hours change with the season and with services, so check before you plan.

Give time to the portal and the square. The Münsterplatz in front of the church is lined with trees and has a fountain, and it is a good place to sit and look at the west front. The Münsterplattform, a terrace behind the church, offers a view over the Aare, and its shaded paths make it a pleasant stop in summer. Winter brings seasonal markets to the square, and organ concerts are held in the church throughout the year, which are worth catching if your timing is right.

The Minster pairs well with the surrounding streets. Below it, the Old Town leads down to the Nydegg Bridge and the Bear Park, while above it the Kramgasse and Zytglogge are a short walk away. If you plan a day of sightseeing, climbing the tower early gives you a mental map of the city before you walk through it. Dress for changing weather at the top, where wind can be strong, and bring a camera with a wide lens. Photography inside is generally allowed without flash, but be respectful during services.

Inside, take a few minutes to look at the tall stained glass windows in the choir, which date from the fifteenth century, and at the carved choir stalls. The bells in the tower are among the heaviest in the country, and when they ring on a feast day the sound carries across the whole Old Town. If you are travelling with a mix of climbers and non-climbers, the Münsterplattform terrace behind the church gives a good river view for everyone without any steps.