Clock Tower, Bern

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Zytglogge - Turm is one of the most famous sights of Bern. This tower was once a gate of the medieval townwall and the tower dates back to the year 1191. In 1530 the clock was added and there is also an astronomical clock from the 15th century below it.
Come to Zytgloggeturm shortly before the full hour and you will see some of the sculptures moving a bit.

Zytglogge is simply Swiss German for what would otherwise be known as "Zeitglocke" to German speakers, or time bell to English speakers, meaning a clock striking with the help of a hammer on a bell. In a country known for its clocks, this is one of the most famous. In Bern, it is also a meeting point since it is smack bang in the centre of the Old Town and easy to find. The clock itself is from 1530 and in housed a sturdy tower in a location which was Bern's western city gate as far back as 1191 with its first tower in the 1220s, so coming here really means stepping back in history even if today you are surrounded by trams and trolley-buses. The clock was long used as the measurement of time to different places in the Canton even if the city had outgrown its walls already by the time the clock came into existance. Below it is an even older astronomical clock from the 15th century which is also fascinating. The technical details for both are on the homepage below in case that sort of thing interest you. If it is just the outside you care about, any guided tour of the city takes in the clock but you will easily find it yourself when strolling around. Come here a few minutes before the hour and you will experience the bell ringing along with a whole lot of other tourists.

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The Clock tower was one of the first city gates of Bern. The astronomical calendar, gorgeous, is dated from the 15 Th century.

Located in the centre of the old town, it' s a sight that we go back to over and over again. And every time we stop and stare at its beauty.

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Having read about the clock tower Zytglogge (pronounced tseet-klok-uh), on Swiss travel sites and other VT reviews we started to gather around the clock for some pictures and videos about 10 minutes before the hour (the little clock show start at 4 minutes before the hour). Don't expect a Disneylike display and razzle dazzle and take into consideration that this show has been going on since 1530 and you might appreciate this display a little more.

In the 4 minute show, things move slow through the top of the hour. There is a little display of a crowing cock, a parade of bears, a knight, a piper, a lion, Chronos with his hourglass and a dancing jester.

The clock is both the benchmark of official Bern time and the point at which all distances in the canton are measured. The name Zyglogge is Bernese German and transalates to Zeitglocke in Standard German or "Time Bell" in English.

The original tower was constructed partly in wood in 1218-20 and was destroyed by a fire in 1405 and at some time the tower was converted into a prison for prostitutes who made a living servicing the clergy (I'm not making this up, as this information comes from the official website).

"Below the clock is a very inticate astronomical and astrological device, which, in one small diameter, displays a 24 hour clock, the twelve hours of daylight, the position of the sun in the zodiac, the day of the week, the date and the month, the phases of the moon and the elevation of the sun above the horizon throughout the year."

And You Thought This Was Just A Very Uninspiring Clock?

Look closely at the pictures and you may see some of what has been mentioned.

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The clock tower in Bern is a city landmark. It's very nice to look at, but really that doesn't last for that long. It is just a clock afterall. Every hour at 4 minutes to the hour, it starts a little "show", which is basically is like what you would see on a cuckoo clock, only a lot bigger. This is something to check out if you are in the area, but if you're not, don't worry about it.

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"Is that it?" I asked in a rather impatient tone of voice, had I really run all the way across town to see that? Don't fret too much if you don't happen to catch the "show" at 4 minutes before the hour.

The clock tower is listed as one of the things you have to see in Bern, at 4 minutes before the hour, tourists gather to watch the bears go round, the cock crow and the little gold man on the top clang a bell. If you happen to be in the area by all means go have a look but should you happen to miss it, I don't think it was worth sticking around for an extra hour or jogging across town.

The clock tower was built in the 12th century, renovated in the 16th century, the "show" has been running since 1530.

Perhaps the most well-known attraction in Bern, along with the fountains, of course, it was built in XIIth century as the western gate of the city, although it was soon replace by the Kafigturm. Burnt in 1405, it was rebuilt and it was later appointed to serve as a women prison. The astronomical clock was added in XVIth century by Caspar Brunner. Several mechanical figures of animals began to move towards the sphere four minutes before the hour.

Quizas la atraccion turistica mas famosa de Berna, junto con sus fuentes, por supuesto, fue construido en el siglo XII para servir de puerta occidental a la ciudad, aunque fue pronto reemplazada por la Kafigturm. Sufrio un incendio en 1405, pero fue reconstruido y mas tarde destinado a carcel de mujeres. El reloj astronomico fue anhadido en el siglo XVI. Varias figuras mecanicas de animales empiezan a moverse hacia la esfera cuatro minutos antes de dar la hora en punto.

This clock tower, Zytgloggeturm is located in Bern's oldest bulding. The mightly clock tower was built in 1191. Every hour a delightful group of mechanical figures performs a puppet show. Be sure and be there early to view the show as the crowds build before each performance.

The clock is only a block from the hotel