Bernisches Historisches Museum

About the museum

The museum traces back to a foundation that canton, city and Burgergemeinde Bern established in 1889, originally as 'Foundation Swiss National Museum': Bern wanted then to be home to Switzerland's national museum; 1893 the foundation was renamed 'Foundation Bernisches Historisches Museum'. The collection's origins reach even further back, to the 16th century.

The museum opened its new building at Helvetiaplatz in Bern's Kirchenfeld quarter in 1894. It is held in the style of historicism and takes 15th and 16th century castles as model; originally it was conceived as a summer museum. In 1922 the Moser building for Henri Moser's Oriental collection was added, in 2009 the 'Cube' with the large exhibition hall. A comprehensive renovation of the protected building is planned; it should also be more closely connected to the Bern Museum Quarter.

The collections of history, archaeology, ethnography and numismatics today comprise approximately half a million objects. The permanent exhibitions lead from the Stone Age through Celts and Romans, medieval Bern and Ancien Régime to the 20th century and show treasures such as the Bern Silver Treasure, burial treasures from ancient Egypt and Henri Moser's Oriental Collection. On the second floor is the Einstein Museum, which tells the life and work of the physicist who developed the theory of relativity during his Bern years in 1905.

Highlights

• Einstein Museum on approximately 1000 square meters with 550 original objects and reproductions
• Stone Age, Celts, Romans: 1500 original finds, including Hydria of Grächwil and bear goddess Dea Artio
• Sculptures from Bern Cathedral's west portal, Dance of Death by Niklaus Manuel and Bern city model
• Bern Silver Treasure with approximately 90 gold and silversmith objects
• Burial treasures from ancient Egypt with four-part coffin ensemble
• Oriental Collection Henri Moser

Permanent exhibitions

• Einstein Museum – On approximately 1000 square meters on 2nd floor the exhibition tells with 550 original objects and reproductions as well as 70 films Einstein's life, his discoveries and the history of his time.
• Vom Frühmittelalter zum Ancien Régime – In 16 rooms on approximately 1200 square meters the exhibition shows how Bern developed from rural settlement to powerful city republic – with cathedral portal sculptures, city model and historic rooms.
• Steinzeit, Kelten, Römer – Approximately 1500 archaeological original finds document on about 360 square meters 50,000 years of human life in the region.

Founded

1889

Operated by

Stiftung Bernisches Historisches Museum

Director

Thomas Pauli-Gabi

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Saturdays in August ('Free Museum', project by Bern Museums)

Base ticket includes permanent exhibitions; for Einstein Museum need at least 'Einstein Plus'. Free with Swiss Museums Pass (not for mediation offerings), Museums-PASS-Musées, Bern Museums Card and culture GA; KulturLegi Canton Bern gives 50 percent discount. Museums Card Bern costs at cashier CHF 28 (24 hours) or CHF 35 (48 hours). Refugees with N, S or F card have free admission (excluding bookable tours).

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

House from 1894 only partially barrier-free. Wheelchair-accessible access via Bernastrasse to outside lift (bell, staff opens); rental wheelchair can be reserved. Wheelchair-accessible are such as exhibition 'Stone Age, Celts, Romans' and Einstein Museum on 2nd floor; not barrier-free are such as 'Burial Treasures from Ancient Egypt' and Oriental Collection. Three wheelchair-accessible toilets. Service dogs permitted, other dogs not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Stroller-friendly: not available
• Baby changing facilities
• Kids’ birthday parties

Family workshops, family tours (e.g., through Einstein Museum), group games and birthday workshop; inquiries at vermittlung@bhm.ch. Strollers cannot be taken into exhibitions, they can be left in entrance hall. Changing facilities in basement.

Getting there & parking

By car via Ostring exit and Thunplatz to Helvetiaplatz.

Amenities & dining

• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Restaurant Steinhalle in west wing (also without museum ticket accessible, bistro, Sunday brunch). Picnic area in museum park; free cloakroom and lockers, eating and drinking in exhibitions not permitted. Museum shop (shop@bhm.ch).

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Available for rent are the Oriental Hall, hall on 1st upper floor, workshop room and studio; inquiries via info@bhm.ch. Restaurant Steinhalle also rents its rooms for events up to weddings.

Plan your visit