Kleine Schanze

The Kleine Schanze is a small hilltop park on the edge of the Old Town of Bern, next to the Federal Palace, the Bundeshaus, and above the railway station. Its name means "little bulwark", and it began as part of the fortifications that Bern added in the first half of the 17th century, when artillery bastions were built around the city to defend it. The matching Grosse Schanze, which now carries the main building of the University of Bern, lies slightly further along the same line. After the old defences became obsolete, the Kleine Schanze was converted into a public promenade, and it has been a green space for the city ever since.

The park is laid out as a terrace with lawns, trees and paths, with a music pavilion at one end and long views over the surroundings. From the edge, you look over the roofs of the lower town, the railway lines running out of Bern station, the Aare River winding through its valley and, on clear days, the line of the Bernese Alps in the distance. The view over Bern’s roofs is much easier to reach than the viewpoints across the river, because the park sits just above the main sights of the city. The lawn is a popular place for locals to eat a sandwich at lunchtime, relax after work or lie in the sun at weekends.

The park has a restaurant and café on Bundesgasse, with outdoor seating, so you can combine the view with a coffee or a meal. In the evening the city lights come on below and the park has a quiet atmosphere, though in summer it can be busy. Events are sometimes held in the park, and the music pavilion is used for concerts, but there is no fixed schedule, so ask locally if you want to catch one. The setting is also a good place for photographs, because the green lawn and the terrace give a frame to the city view.

Because of its position next to the Bundeshaus, the park fits easily into a walk through the centre of the capital. From here it is a few minutes to Bundesplatz, the Old Town’s arcades and the Käfigturm, and you can continue down to the Aare and the Matte. The Rosengarten gives a more famous view of the Old Town, but the Kleine Schanze is closer and works well as a quick stop.

It suits families, couples, picnickers and travellers who want a peaceful break between sights. Go late in the afternoon for softer light and fewer people.