Kunstmuseum Bern
One of Switzerland's oldest art museums with works by Hodler, Klee, Picasso and Meret Oppenheim – from the Gothic period to the present.
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About the museum
The roots of the museum lie in art education in Bern and in state-owned plaster casts of ancient statues that came to Bern as a gift from France. In 1820 the canton bought parts of the collection of the art dealer Sigmund Wagner, and in 1849 the state art collection was merged with the holdings of the Bernese Artists' Society – the year the museum itself regards as its actual founding.
A bequest from the architect Gottlieb Hebler made it possible to build a house of its own. To plans by city architect Eugen Stettler, the Neo-Renaissance old building on Hodlerstrasse was built between 1876 and 1878 and opened on 9 August 1879. Later a side wing from 1936 and the extension by Atelier 5 from the 1980s were added; today around 4,000 square metres are available for exhibitions and education.
The collection extends from the late Middle Ages to the present and comprises about 4,000 paintings and sculptures as well as around 70,000 works on paper, photographs, videos and installations. Its focal points are Bernese art with Niklaus Manuel, Albert Anker and Ferdinand Hodler, the works of Adolf Wölfli, and Classical Modernism with Picasso, the Blue Rider, Paul Klee and the collection of Meret Oppenheim. Since 2015 the museum has been run together with the Zentrum Paul Klee under an umbrella foundation.
Highlights
- Picasso's "Violon accroché au mur" and Meret Oppenheim's "Verzauberung" in the Modern collection
- Hodler's symbolist paintings "Die Nacht" and "Der Tag"
- Works by Cézanne, van Gogh and Matisse in the cabinets of the old building
- Group of works by Adolf Wölfli of worldwide importance
- Café in the historic building, accessible even without museum admission
Permanent exhibition
- Die Sammlung. Von Arnold Böcklin bis Pablo Picasso, von Ferdinand Hodler bis Meret Oppenheim – The collection presentation shows, in the old building and the extension, highlights from 19th-century Swiss art to Cubism, Surrealism and abstract art.
- Founded
- 1849
- Operated by
- Dachstiftung Kunstmuseum Bern – Zentrum Paul Klee
- Director
- Nina Zimmer
- Visitors per year
- approx. 113,843 (2024)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | CHF 24 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | CHF 20People aged 65 and over, groups of 10 or more people, people with disabilities (including accompanying person) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 15 · Children and young people under 16 years have free admission. |
| Seniors | CHF 20from 65 years |
| Visitors with disabilities | CHF 20companion free · With an IV card the reduced price applies; one accompanying person per person with an IV card has free admission. |
| Students & apprentices | CHF 12Students and apprentices |
| Groups (10+ people) | CHF 20 per personGroups of 10 or more people; groups with their own guide (up to 25 people) pay a flat fee of CHF 50 and must register at least one week in advance and obtain a speaking permit. |
| Collection presentation (available on site only) | CHF 10Reduced CHF 7, students and apprentices CHF 5 |
| Combination ticket Zentrum Paul Klee and Kunstmuseum Bern | CHF 32Reduced CHF 28, students and apprentices CHF 18 |
The regular price applies to the current exhibitions including the collection. The Swiss Museum Pass, Museums-PASS-Musées, ICOM, Visarte, SGBK, Raiffeisen and the Kultur GA are accepted; with the KulturLegi there is a 50 percent discount. Free admission for members of the Bernische Kunstgesellschaft, the Verein der Freunde Kunstmuseum Bern, the Berner Kunstfonds and the Stiftung Kunsthalle Bern, as well as teachers of the Canton of Bern.
Accessibility
- 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
Ramp at the main entrance, stairlifts and visitor lift, loan wheelchair (reservation possible), three wheelchair-accessible toilets. Audio guide tours and exhibition texts are available free of charge in the Digital Guide on your smartphone. The café is reached via two stairlifts.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 15 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Stroller-friendly
- Kids’ birthday parties
Family and children's workshops in the studio (for example "Erste Schritte im Museum" for toddlers, "KunstSpatz", "Artur" from school age), holiday courses for 6- to 12-year-olds. The museum bag with telescope and coloured pencils, which can be borrowed free of charge, is available at the ticket desk (deposit CHF 20). The children's birthday workshop costs CHF 240 for up to 12 people plus an exhibition ticket. Prams are allowed in the exhibitions.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bollwerk · 50 m
From Bern station take bus 20, 21 or 11 one stop to Bollwerk; from other directions take bus 12 or 30 or tram 6, 7, 8 or 9 to Bärenplatz. On foot from the station about 10 minutes.
By car
Parking available
The nearest car park is Metro Parking on Hodlerstrasse; one marked disabled parking space is next to the museum (50 m from the main entrance), three more opposite. Coach parking directly on the street in front of the museum.
- Accessible parking
Motorway exit Bern-Wankdorf, towards the centre and old town. With the SBB RailAway offer there are discounted journeys by public transport.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Café Kunstmuseum Bern (operator: Caffè Roma), accessible even without an exhibition ticket, with sandwiches, cakes, salads and soups. Museum shop with art prints, postcards and specialist literature.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 140 guests.
The Museums-Lounge offers space for events of up to 140 people; catering by the café team, can be combined with a tour on request.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 60 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Permitted for private purposes without flash, no tripod and no selfie stick; minimum distance of 50 cm from the works. |
| Good to know | Public tours in German, French and English (CHF 5 surcharge on admission). On Wednesdays at midday the 30-minute talk "Kunst über Mittag" costs CHF 10 including admission. Private tours for up to 25 people: 60 minutes CHF 200, 90 minutes CHF 300. Backpacks and larger bags must be left in the cloakroom. |
