The Clock Tower

The Clock Tower

An emblematic stop on the Berne audio-guided tour, the magnificent Clock Tower, the Zytglogge in Bernese dialect, offers at each full hour a wonderful spectacle: the carousel of its medieval figurines.

A sixteenth-century mechanism

Three minutes before the hour, the chime starts thanks to a sixteenth-century mechanism activated by hand. It all begins with the crowing of the cock; then a jester rings the small bells, giving the number of strikes of the coming hour, while a procession of seven bears, representing the days of the week, files past Chronos, the personification of time.

What to see

The first bear, on horseback, symbolises Sunday; the six others, from Monday to Saturday, each evoke a different trade. A true mechanical jewel in the heart of the old town, the Zytglogge has fascinated visitors for centuries. Position yourself a few minutes before the hour to admire the show.

Practical information

The Clock Tower stands in the heart of Berne's old town. The figurine show takes place at each full hour; interior visits are subject to conditions to be checked depending on the season.

What happens every hour at the Zytglogge ?

A carousel of medieval figurines comes to life: the cock, the jester, the seven bears and Chronos.

When does the tower's mechanism date from ?

From the sixteenth century; it is still activated by hand before each hour.