Bern Historical Museum

Bernisches Historisches Museum

From Celts to Einstein – Swiss history under one roof.

The Bern Historical Museum is one of Switzerland’s largest and most prestigious museums. Its vast collection spans prehistoric times to the modern era, featuring Celtic relics, medieval armor, global artifacts, and detailed models of historic Bern. The museum also houses the Einstein Museum, which explores the life and legacy of the world-famous physicist who once lived and worked in Bern.

Transport

How to Get There

Ways to get to the attraction

On foot from Bern center 22-34 min.

From Interlaken by car ~50 min.

From Lucerne by car ~1 h 20 min.

From BRN airport (Bern) by car ~24 min.

From SIR airport (Sion) by car ~1 h 36 min.

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Attraction

Description

Detailed information about the attraction

What is this place

The Bern Historical Museum is Switzerland’s second-largest history museum, housed in André Lambert’s 1894 castle-like building on Helvetiaplatz. It includes a dedicated Einstein Museum on Albert Einstein’s life and times.

Key features

Building 1892–1894 by André Lambert – a historicist, castle-inspired landmark by the Kirchenfeld Bridge.
Around 567,000 objects – archaeology, history, ethnography and numismatics.
Einstein Museum since 2005 – about 1,000 m² on Einstein and the early 20th century.
2009 extension – a ~1,000 m² temporary hall plus storage, linking old and new.
“Captured Treasure” gallery – 15th-century Flemish tapestries and Burgundian war booty.

What to see

Bernese archaeology from prehistory to Roman times and the “Captured Treasure” display.
The Einstein Museum with a 9-language audio guide.
Architectural details, including the 1900 glass mosaic “The Age of History” above the entrance.

History

Founded in 1889, the museum moved into its present home in 1892–1894, designed by André Lambert as a potential Swiss National Museum; a glass mosaic was added above the portal in 1900.

The Einstein Museum opened in 2005, initially as a centenary show. In 2008–2009, a new underground hall and the Kubus extension completed a major upgrade of the complex.

Practical information

Location: Helvetiaplatz 5, 3005 Bern – Kirchenfeld museum cluster near the bridge.

Getting there: 10–15 minutes on foot from Bern HB, or trams 6/7/8 and bus 19 to Helvetiaplatz.

Access: Historic building with partial step-free access; reduced-mobility entrance via Bernastrasse (south side). Cloakroom/lockers; large bags must be stored.

Visiting hours: Tue–Sun 10:00–17:00, Mon closed; most public holidays 10:00–17:00; closed on Swiss National Day, Zibelemärit and 25 Dec.

Visit duration: 1.5–3 hours; 3–4 hours if exploring the Einstein Museum in depth.

Best time: Weekday mornings; a good rainy-day option combined with nearby Helvetiaplatz museums.

Notes: Tickets – basic CHF 16 (adult), “Einstein Plus” CHF 18; Swiss Museum Pass and Museums-PASS-Musées accepted. Einstein Museum offers a 9-language audio guide; photography without flash is generally permitted unless indicated otherwise.

Tours