Educational, informative, but also visually stunning, the Bern Historical Museum will keep you fascinated for hours. Spend a few hours here to discover history, archeology, ethnography and numismatics from all corners of the world.
The Bern Historical Museum opened its doors in 1894 and holds about 500,000 items from around the world in its collections.
Take your time as you approach this museum in the heart of Bern to look up and appreciate the grandeur of the building. The Swiss architect André Lambert was inspired by castles of the 15th and 16th centuries. You can’t miss the World Telegraph Memorial, with its graceful bronze figures, in front of the museum and the stone lions guarding the entrance gate.
The museum holds many world-class items. As you make your way through the 11 different permanent exhibitions, don’t miss the popular Henri Moser collection, which showcases the beauty and enigmatic charm of the Orient.
Get to know one of one of the world’s most famous scientists in the integrated Einstein Museum. Through over 500 objects and short films and illustrations, get an insight into both the work and the man himself. You’ll find out that Einstein was living in Bern when his theory of relativity first came to light.
Exit the main museum and make your way through the large glass and concrete monolith that houses the temporary exhibitions. Built in 2009, this unusual modern building stands in stark contrast to the old main building. The varied exhibitions here change every few months.
Purchase a history-themed souvenir or one of many books on offer from the museum shop. Before you leave, drop into the museum’s stylish restaurant for a meal or drink in the museum park. You are also welcome to bring along your own picnic.
The Bern Historical Museum is open daily except Mondays. Entry fees apply for both the main museum and the Einstein Museum. The museum is best reached by public transportation. There are tram and bus stops directly in front of the museum. No on-site parking is available, but it’s possible to find parking spaces in the area.
