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Zytglogge Clock Tower

Zytglogge Clock Tower

Highlight • Monument

Zytglogge Clock Tower

Recommended by 369 hikers out of 382

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Location: Bern-Mittelland, Bern, Espace Mittelland, Switzerland

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Best Hikes to Zytglogge Clock Tower

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2. View of Bern Old Town – Aare riverside promenade in Bern loop from Altenberg

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3. Lorraine Bridge – Bern's Arcades loop from Bern

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Easy

Tips

Michael (Wasi)

December 5, 2024

Originally a defensive tower, it was converted into a prison in the 13th century and later into a clock tower. Today, it houses one of the oldest astronomical clocks in Switzerland and a carillon.

The Zytglogge is famous for its intricate clock, which not only tells the time but also depicts the movements of the sun, moon, and stars. It also features playful figures that move at specific times.

Translated by Google •

Gabi

September 1, 2024

The fortified tower, which has been extended several times, was built between 1218 and 1220 as the western end of the main street of Bern, a city founded in 1191. With each expansion of the city, which, due to the location of Bern's old town in a bend of the Aare River, could only proceed westward, the tower moved further into the city center, lost its function as a defensive tower, and was subsequently used for other purposes. Before the great city fire of 1405, it served as a prison. Afterward, it was rebuilt as a clock tower – the Zytglogge Tower or simply Zytglogge – using Bernese sandstone. Its clock with striking mechanism displayed the time binding for the entire city. Travel time was measured from the tower. In 1530, the cuboid tower acquired its towering form and a new clock. Decrees and ordinances are posted in the gateway, and since the 18th century, units of measurement for public control have been displayed there. With the late Baroque renovations of 1770/71, it was fully integrated into its surroundings.

Source: Wikipedia.

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Matto

January 30, 2024

At the top of the hour, numerous people gather in front of the Zytglogge (time bell tower) and watch the unique spectacle that takes place in Bern's old town at that time. The puppet game with the bear train, the jester, the golden rooster and Chronos - the god of time - delights young and old from near and far.

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Details

Informations

Elevation 540 m

Weather

Wednesday 24 December

1°C

-2°C

0 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 8.0 km/h

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Location: Bern-Mittelland, Bern, Espace Mittelland, Switzerland

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Zytglogge Clock Tower

1. Bern Minster (Berner Münster) – Bern Old Town loop from Altenberg

2. View of Bern Old Town – Aare riverside promenade in Bern loop from Altenberg

3. Lorraine Bridge – Bern's Arcades loop from Bern

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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