Rathaus Bern
Rathaus in Bern. Bern, Bern-Mittelland, Switzerland.
Address
Rathausplatz 3011 Bern
GPS
46.94846085, 7.4522991892746
Bern Townhall (Rathaus Bern) houses the Grand Council of Bern, the Executive Council of Bern, and the Grand Council of the City of Bern.
If the Bernese flag is flying over the city hall, that implies the politicians are holding a meeting inside. The “little brother of the federal building” plays host to four annual sessions of the cantonal parliament. The government council meets once a week to discuss and make decisions on political matters.
The 15th-century late Gothic edifice also serves as the site of important media conferences. Due to its convenient location in the heart of the historic district below, the town hall also serves as a frequent venue for meetings of both cantonal and inter-cantonal committees.
When the Bernese coat of arms is displayed on City Hall, it means that legislative business is being conducted on the premises. Four times a year, the “younger brother of Parliament Building” hosts sessions of the cantonal parliament. The seven-person governing council gets together once a week to discuss and make decisions on policy matters.
The rooms of the 15th-century late-Gothic structure are also used for important media conferences. Town Hall’s convenient location in the Old City’s lower levels makes it a popular venue for meetings of both cantonal and intercantonal committees.
Bern began constructing its current Town Hall almost 600 years ago. Even though the Great Fire of Bern destroyed the city’s historic political heart, Bern continued to rise as a political powerhouse on the Swiss plateau. The City Council desired improved facilities for hosting international visitors.
After ten years of work, a representative edifice worthy of the Small Council, the Grand Council, and the administration was completed. Over time, some architectural adjustments were made in response to evolving needs.
For centuries, Town Hall served as more than just a political hub; it was also home to important national institutions including the archive, treasury, mint, and printing press. When it was renovated in the 1940s, the historic columned hall in the basement was revealed, and the building’s medieval feel was restored.
