Bern

Kunst und Kultur in Bern

Art and Culture in Bern

Bern’s cultural landscape blends UNESCO-listed medieval heritage with contemporary expression. This selection spans the iconic 16th-century allegorical fountains of the Old City to Renzo Piano’s architectural masterpiece, the Zentrum Paul Klee. Visitors can explore specialized institutions like the Museum of Psychiatry and the Masonic Museum, or engage with the city's performing arts at the Stadttheater and various independent basement theaters. The list also highlights public bronze sculptures and community art hubs like PROGR, a former school building transformed into over 150 artist studios.

Art and Culture in Bern — Karte

Sailko / CC BY 3.0

A

Prison Tower

The Käfigturm is a Baroque tower in Bern, Switzerland. It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern and the…

Andrew Bossi / CC BY-SA 2.5

B

Child Eater Fountain

The Kindlifresserbrunnen is a painted stone fountain at the Kornhausplatz in Bern, Switzerland.

Florian.Arnd / CC-BY-SA-3.0

C

Paul Klee Center

The Zentrum Paul Klee is a museum dedicated to the artist Paul Klee, located in Bern, Switzerland and designed by the Italian architect…

Traumrune / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Pfeiferbrunnen

The Pfeiferbrunnen is a fountain near Spitalgasse 21 in Bern, Switzerland.

Unbekannte Autoren und Grafiker; Scan… / Public domain

E

Bern Theatre

Bern Theatre, known in the city as Stadttheater Bern, is an opera house and theatre in Bern, Switzerland.

Hadi / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

Bernabrunnen

A late 19th-century fountain featuring a bronze figure of Berna, located in the inner courtyard of the Federal Palace's west wing.

Funck77 / CC BY-SA 4.0

G

Schützenbrunnen

A 16th-century Renaissance fountain depicting a marksman, standing as one of the historic allegorical fountains on Marktgasse.

H

Landguet Ried

A seminar and retreat center that hosts cultural workshops and artistic gatherings in a rural setting near the city.

I

KonzertTheaterBern

The region's primary performing arts venue, hosting a diverse program of opera, theater, ballet, and symphonic concerts.

J

Galerie 3000

An independent contemporary art gallery and project space focused on local artistic experimentation.

K

Galerie ArchivArte

A gallery and shop specializing in contemporary Swiss art and professional art restoration services.

L

Galerie Kornfeld

A major auction house and gallery specializing in 19th and 20th-century art, including works by modern masters.

M

Grosse Halle

A large-scale cultural venue within the Reitschule complex, used for theater productions, concerts, and art exhibitions.

N

Stadtgalerie

A municipal gallery showcasing contemporary regional and national art within the PROGR cultural center.

O

Progr

A former school building converted into a major cultural hub with over 150 artist studios, galleries, and performance spaces.

P

Cerny Inuit Collection

A specialized gallery and museum dedicated to contemporary circumpolar art, featuring Inuit sculptures and prints.

Q

Grand Palais

An independent art space hosting temporary exhibitions, performances, and cultural discourse.

R

SOON

A contemporary gallery focusing on urban art, modern illustration, and emerging international artists.

S

Theater Matte

An intimate theater in the historic Matte district specializing in local dialect plays and small-scale productions.

T

Puppentheater

A traditional puppet theater in the Old City offering shows for both children and adults.

U

"Lots of Walls of Z" Kore Gallery

A contemporary art gallery featuring unique visual installations and modern works.

V

Tram-Museum

A museum documenting Bern's public transport history, featuring a collection of historic streetcars and artifacts.

W

Museum of Psychiatry

Visit this extraordinary museum to learn about the history of discovering and treating mental illnesses.

X

Galerie Brand

An exhibition space and art center hosting local artists and community creative projects.

Y

Kultur-Hof

A cultural center in the Köniz district providing space for art exhibitions and community events.

Z

popup galerie am dreieck

A temporary exhibition space used for rotating art shows and creative pop-up events.

Masonic Museum Switzerland

A museum exploring the history and rituals of Freemasonry in Switzerland through historical artifacts and documents.

Schulmuseum Bern

A museum dedicated to educational history, featuring reconstructed classrooms and antique teaching materials.

Kindermuseum Creaviva

An interactive museum located at the Zentrum Paul Klee offering hands-on art workshops for children.

The Guardian

A modern outdoor sculpture.

Kelch, symmetrisch

A modern symmetrical sculpture located in a public space.

Grosser Diskuswerfer

A bronze statue of a discus thrower representing classical athletic form.

Knabengruppe

A public bronze sculpture depicting a group of boys.

Orion

A modern sculpture located on private grounds.