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| Clock Tower tips and photos posted by real travelers and Bern locals. • 52 Photos
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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. Address: Marktgasse
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The Clock Tower has an astronomical clock and some adjacent figures which make a small display each hour. The clock shows not only the time, but also the day of the week, position of the planets and the signs of the zodiac. Leave a Comment Address: Kornhausplatz, Bern
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Clocks. Clocks and more clocks. What else would you expect in Switzerland? Pictured here is the clock tower in Bern. There are many clocks in Bern. This is the famous clock tower in Bern. The clock was made in 1530. It is also an astronomical clock. Although I was not there at the time to actually see this, on the hour the clock strikes and mechanical figures are set in motion on the clock. I did not see this so I can not go into any indepth description. But I have read it is quite impressive and a lot of fun for the tourists. Leave a Comment Address: Kramgasse
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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 Leave a Comment
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The Zytglogge, or clock tower, in the center of Bern is a major landmark and meeting place. It is a beautiful old tower with an interesting face (can you tell what time it is without a minute hand?). You can tour the inner workings during the summer, which is worth doing.
But every hour, just before 4 minutes before the hour, you can see hourdes of tourists with cameras crowded around the east face waiting for the mechanical display.... this display is not worth waiting for. Not even if its 6 minutes before the hour. If you happen to be there at 4 minutes before the hour, I suppose its worth a glance upwards..... Leave a Comment Address: Corner of Kornhaus Platz and KramgasseDirections: Middle of Altstadt. Ask ANYONE.
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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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An imposing presence at the centre of the old town, the Clock Tower, is as much the symbol of Bern as the bear.
The tower was originally constructed partly in wood as the westernmost city gate in 1218–20, but by 1256 the city walls had moved west to the Käfigturm; the stranded tower was then converted into a prison for those prostitutes who made a living servicing the clergy. The devastating fire of 1405 razed the tower and it was rebuilt in stone with a new, squat design, a turreted staircase to one side (still used today) and a clock mechanism. The clock soon broke and stayed broken for 122 years until one Caspar Brunner designed an intricate and elegant new mechanism which has functioned since he installed it in 1530, and which is still complete with nearly all its original parts. Below the main east face of the clock is an intricate 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, everything kept accurate by linkage to the main clock mechanism. The external appearance of the Zytglogge as it is today dates from Baroque embellishments of 1770–71.
The main draw of the thing is generally touted to be a rather underwhelming little display of mechanical figures – a crowing cock, a parade of bears, Chronos with his hourglass and a dancing jester – which is set into motion four minutes before every hour on the clock’s east face. What’s far more interesting is to see close-up (and have explained) the actual inner workings of the mechanism as the pendulum swings and linked cogs turn gracefully. It’s possible to go inside only as part of the tourist office’s exemplary and fascinating one-hour guided tour, which also lets you explore the rooms inside the spire and take in the romantic rooftop view. Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment
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At four minutes before each hour a little mechanical display happens. It's not much, and doesn't last long, but if you're in the area, check it out. The clock itself is worth a look minus the crowing of the rooster... Leave a Comment Address: Kramgasse
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A clock that was originally built in the 1400s. On the hour, people gather to watch as it puts on a show - mechanical crows, roosters, bears, jesters and more parade around the clock face. It tells time, day of the week, position of planets and zodiac signs, etc.... You can take a one-hour guided tour of the clock tower as well (May–Oct daily 4.30pm; late Dec to early Jan daily 11.30am.)
http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/guide/bern/zytglogge.html Leave a Comment Directions: Old Town
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