Bern Cathedral (climb The Tower For Epic Views!)

Bern Cathedral, known in German as the Münster and also called the Bernese Minster, is the main church of Bern’s Old City and the tallest church in Switzerland, a Swiss landmark. It stands on a terrace above the Aare River, in the middle of the loop that holds the Old Town, and its spire is visible from many parts of the city. Work began in 1421, when Bern was a rich and ambitious city-state, and the church was built in the late Gothic style over the following decades. It was meant to show the city’s power, and the scale of the nave and the ambition of the plans reflect that. The tower, however, was not completed for centuries. The octagonal upper section and the spire were finished only in the late 19th century, and today the spire reaches about 100 metres.

The main portal on the west side is the most important piece of art on the exterior. Its Last Judgment, a deep relief carved in the late 15th century, shows Christ as judge above the blessed and the damned, with angels, devils and hundreds of small figures. The Reformation reached Bern in 1528 and swept sacred images out of the city’s churches, but the Last Judgment portal was spared. Many of the figures have been restored, and the portal is now one of the best-preserved examples of its kind in Switzerland. Because the church became Protestant, the interior is plain compared with Catholic churches, though it keeps carved choir stalls, stained glass from the 15th century and fine vaults.

The climb to the top of the tower is the main experience for many visitors. A narrow spiral staircase of 344 steps winds up the inside of the tower, with views from a platform below the spire. The reward is the view over the red-tiled roofs of the UNESCO-listed Old Town, the loop of the Aare River, the plains of the Mittelland and, on clear days, the long line of the Bernese Oberland with the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau. The staircase is steep and tight, with two-way traffic, so it is not suited to anyone with a fear of heights or limited mobility.

At the foot of the cathedral lies the Münsterplattform terrace, with views over the river, and the Mattelift takes people down to the Matte quarter. Opening hours for the interior and the tower differ and change with the season and with church events, so check the cathedral’s own information before you plan a visit. Services take place regularly, and visitors are asked to respect the church.

It suits history lovers, architecture fans and anyone who enjoys a high viewpoint. Allow an hour or more, and go on a clear morning for the best view.