Zytglogge

The Zytglogge (Bernese German: ; ) is a landmark medieval tower in Bern, Switzerland. Built in the early 13th century, it has served the city as a guard tower, prison, clock tower, centre of urban life and civic memorial.

Key facts

Historic Site.name: Zeitglockenturm
Historic Site.native_name: Zytglogge
Historic Site.native_language: de
Historic Site.image: Zytglogge 01.jpg
Historic Site.image_size: 200
Historic Site.caption: The east front of the Zytglogge at the end of the Kramgasse.
Historic Site.locmapin: Switzerland Bern downtown#Canton of Bern#Switzerland
Historic Site.location: Old City of Bern
Historic Site.built: –20
Historic Site.architecture: Medieval structure. External appearance: Baroque with Gothic elements
Historic Site.governing_body: City of Bern
Historic Site.designation1: World Heritage Site
Historic Site.designation1_partof: Old City of Bern world heritage site
Historic Site.designation2: Swiss

via Wikipedia infobox

~13 min read

Encyclopedic overview

12 sections

Contents

History
Name
Exterior
External structure
Bells and bell-striker
Clock faces and façade decorations
Astronomical clock
Movement
Interior
References
Bibliography
External links

Despite the many redecorations and renovations it has undergone in its 800 years of existence, the Zytglogge is one of Bern's most recognisable symbols and the oldest monument of the city, and with its 15th-century astronomical clock, a major tourist attraction. It is a heritage site of national significance, and part of the Old City of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Zytglogge” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.