Brunnenpumphaus
Historic pumping station from 1585 in Bern's Brunnmatt district with a Giroud pump from 1881, open for guided tours on the third Saturday of the month.
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About the museum
The small pumping station at the corner of Brunnmattstrasse and Schlösslistrasse first lifted the spring water of the Brunnmatt about 15 metres uphill in October 1585. It was regarded as the only technical installation in the city of Bern for artificially raising water. Before 1800, three wooden wheels about 2.6 metres in diameter, arranged in series, drove the pump rods; in 1730 the works were completely renewed.
In 1881 the farmhouse-like building with sandstone walls received a new mechanical pump system from the Louis Giroud machine factory of Olten. It still works with piston pumps but is driven by a Girard water turbine. The water flowed into a reservoir at the Galgenhubel and after 1900 went mainly to the Inselspital hospital. Later concepts for the city's water supply made the elaborate system redundant; it was shut down in 1911.
The small half-timbered building is a listed monument, and the Giroud system is considered industrial heritage worthy of protection. In 2022 the association Verein Brunnhaus Brunnmatt was founded to revive the pumping station and turn it into a "mini-museum". It has been open to visitors since 20 January 2024.
Highlights
- Giroud pumping station from 1881 with Girard water turbine
- Site of Bern's water works of 1585
- Listed half-timbered building in the Brunnmatt district
- Guided tours at 10 am and 1 pm on the third Saturday of the month
- Display panels on the history of Bern's water supply
Permanent exhibition
- Pumpwerk Brunnmatt – Visit to the historic pumping system with the Giroud pumping station, turbine and display panels on the history and technology of Bern's water supply.
- Operated by
- Verein Brunnhaus Brunnmatt
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
| Groups | –Groups of up to 15 people pay a flat fee of CHF 100. |
|---|---|
| Group tour (up to 15 people, flat fee) | CHF 100Registration via the form on the website |
Admission for individuals is free.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | The pumping station is visited and explained under expert guidance, covering the importance of water and the function of the system in late medieval Bern. Groups (clubs, companies, schools) can arrange special tours. |
