Bern Historical Museum

Museum in Bern

CC BY-SA 3.0 / Marianabeauty

The Bern Historical Museum is more than just a showcase of artifacts-it's a journey through human history, art, and discovery. Housed in a grand neo-Gothic building reminiscent of a medieval castle, this is Switzerland's second-largest historical museum and one of the top attractions in Bern. From ancient Bernese relics to Egyptian treasures and meteorite-forged arrowheads, every exhibit invites visitors to explore the connections between past and present.

Set just across the Aare River from the Old City, the museum's fairy-tale architecture is matched by its fascinating interiors. Its companion, the Einstein Museum, offers a captivating look into the life and ideas of Albert Einstein, who developed his Theory of Relativity while living in Bern. Together, they form a highlight of any walking tour of Bern, blending intellectual curiosity with a sense of wonder that keeps travelers coming back.

History and Significance of Bern Historical Museum
Things to See and Do in Bern Historical Museum
How to Get There
Practical Tips on Visiting Bern Historical Museum
Is Bern Historical Museum Worth Visiting?
FAQs for Visiting Bern Historical Museum
Nearby Attractions to Bern Historical Museum

History and Significance of Bern Historical Museum

Designed by André Lambert and completed in 1894, the Bern Historical Museum was originally intended to be the Swiss National Museum. Its design drew inspiration from 15th- and 16th-century castles, giving it an appearance both regal and timeless. Though Zurich eventually became home to the national museum, Bern's creation evolved into one of Switzerland's most significant cultural institutions.

The museum’s role extends beyond local history-it’s a reflection of Bern’s global connections through trade, exploration, and scholarship. In 2009, a striking modern glass-and-steel extension was added, symbolizing the dialogue between old and new. Above the entrance, the magnificent mosaic “The Age of History” by Swiss artist Léo-Paul Robert (1900) sets the tone for the experience within, depicting the muses of Poetry and History watching over humanity’s unfolding story.

Today, the museum is recognized as a Swiss heritage site of national significance, preserving and interpreting thousands of years of cultural evolution-from the prehistoric Aare Valley to the scientific breakthroughs of the 20th century.

Things to See and Do in Bern Historical Museum

Inside the museum, visitors encounter an extraordinary range of collections. Bern’s local history comes alive through medieval tapestries, armor, and the spoils taken from Charles the Bold’s camp after his defeat in 1477. These artifacts vividly illustrate the city’s power during its medieval heyday. Among the museum’s most prized exhibits is the Muri statuette group-six exquisite Gallo-Roman bronze figures representing Mercury and other deities, discovered in the Bernese countryside.

In 2023, the museum made headlines when the Moringen arrowhead, part of its collection for over a century, was found to be crafted from a meteorite. This revelation underscored the museum’s role in ongoing scientific discovery. Alongside these treasures, international exhibits transport visitors to ancient Egypt, Oceania, and the Americas, reminding them of humanity’s shared cultural heritage.

A major attraction within the complex is the Einstein Museum. What began as a temporary exhibition in 2005 has become a permanent fixture dedicated to the world's most famous physicist. Through films, documents, and interactive displays, visitors can trace Einstein's journey from his Bern years-when he formulated the Theory of Relativity-to his later influence on modern science. For an even deeper dive, the nearby Einsteinhaus on Kramgasse allows visitors to step into the apartment where he once lived and worked.

How to Get There

The Bern Historical Museum is located at Helvetiaplatz 5, just a 15-minute walk from the Old City. Bern train station, around 10 minutes away on foot, offers excellent rail connections to other Swiss cities and beyond. Train schedules and bookings can be found on Omio. Bern train station

For those arriving by car, parking is available at Metro Parking Bern and City West Parking. Public trams and buses also stop nearby at Helvetiaplatz, making it easily accessible from any part of the city.

Practical Tips on Visiting Bern Historical Museum

Best time to visit Bern Historical Museum: Year-round; rainy days are perfect for exploring its vast indoor exhibits.
Entrance fee in Euros: Around €13 for adults, including the Einstein Museum; discounts available for students and groups.
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00-17:00; closed Mondays.
Official website: https://www.bhm.ch
How long to spend: At least 2-3 hours to explore both the Historical and Einstein Museums.
Accessibility: Fully accessible with elevators and wheelchair-friendly paths.
Facilities: Café, museum shop, lockers, and cloakroom.
Photography tip: Capture the fairy-tale façade in morning light for the best photos; interior photography is permitted in most sections.
Guided tours: Available in multiple languages and highly recommended for deeper context.
Nearby food options: Enjoy coffee at the on-site café or head to nearby Dampfzentrale for riverside dining.

Is Bern Historical Museum Worth Visiting?

Without question. The Bern Historical Museum is one of the must-see places in Bern, combining history, art, and science in a way that few institutions can match. Whether you're intrigued by medieval armor, fascinated by Einstein's revolutionary ideas, or drawn to rare archaeological finds, this museum offers a uniquely enriching experience. Its thoughtful exhibits and architectural beauty make it one of the best places to visit in Bern for travelers seeking depth and discovery.

What Other Travellers Say...

Reviews Summary

4.6 (3,492)

Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum at Helvetiapl. 5 in Bern presents Swiss cultural history across four floors, with archaeological and ethnographical collections from the Stone Age through modern times and special exhibitions such as Bronze World and a social welfare history display; visitors note a comprehensive, well‑curated experience that can easily take two to three hours (the Einstein section alone may require 90–120 minutes or more), offer views over the city, include mezzanine displays and accessible staff expertise from archaeology, and provide free entry for Swiss Travel Pass holders.

Gui Harrison

a month ago

"The museum is astounding and incredibly well put together. You can have a view of the city while learning about its history and Einsteins life and,if you still have time, see other expositions In the 4 floor building. The audio tour through Einstein is said tk take 1h but if you soak in every information it will be much, much longer...."

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Yulan Zhou

2 months ago

"We stayed in Bern for 6 hours and spent most of the time in this museum which I feel is still not enough. There are four floors with collections andpresentation together cover historical and cultural aspects of Bern in a 360 way. The Einstein sector is of course very impressive, but the rest part is as good. One young man from the archeological sector gave me a 5 min introduction about the recent project they’ve been working on, and the passion of these archeologists is inspiring. History is more alive than we thought it is, waiting to be reignited. Free tickets for Swiss Travel Pass holders...."

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Martha Canipe

4 months ago

"Allow plenty of time for this interesting museum! You certainly don’t have to pay for all the exhibits (tickets vary), but the current Bronze Worldexhibit is outstanding, well worth your time. Quite a strong collection just within that one exhibit! The Einstein floor will take at least 90 minutes, more if you really explore it thoroughly. There are several wonderful sections on mezzanines between floors as well - but if you allow time and take your time, you’ll learn so much about Bern and Switzerland through a fabulous collection. My only complaint is the lack of space allotted to earlier civilizations in the area. I found this to be the case in other history museums as well with the exception of the Zurich History Museum. These groups were an important part of the history of each region, yet the emphasis is clearly on the Middle Ages. It would be nice to see more space given over to the previous inhabitants...."

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FAQs for Visiting Bern Historical Museum

Yes, the ticket includes admission to both the Historical and Einstein Museums.

Yes, group and private tours are available and can be booked online.

Yes, tickets are available at the entrance or via the official website.

Absolutely, with interactive exhibits and family-oriented tours available.

It’s about a 10-15 minute walk across the Kirchenfeld Bridge.

Nearby Attractions to Bern Historical Museum

Einsteinhaus - The former home of Albert Einstein, where he lived and worked during his Bern years.
Bern Cathedral (Bern Minster) - The city's stunning Gothic landmark with panoramic tower views.
Zytglogge Clock Tower - A medieval clock tower famous for its animated figurines.
Bundeshaus (Federal Palace) - The Swiss Parliament building, open for free guided tours.
Rosengarten - A tranquil hillside garden offering sweeping views over Bern's Old City and the Aare River.

The Bern Historical Museum appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Bern!

Moira & Andy

Hey! We're Moira & Andy. From hiking the Camino to trips around Europe in Bert our campervan — we've been traveling together since retirement in 2020!

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