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Clock Tower - Zytglogge, Bern

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Observation Deck · Landmark
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An elaborate structure with moving automatons, Clock Tower - Zytglogge remains one of the capital city's major architectural landmarks, its spire a dominant point in the Old Town's skyline. Part of the city's World Heritage-listed medieval quarter, the 13th-century structure once served as both a prison and guard tower. Virtually unchanged since its contruction nearly eight centuries ago, the tower features a giant astronomical clock, its dial designed in the form of an astrolabe. Every hour on the hour there is an impressive display of early animatronic technology, involving the appearance of a gilded bell-striker representing the Greek personification of time. Our Bern trip planning site makes visiting Clock Tower - Zytglogge and other Bern attractions simple, and helps you make a travel plan personal to you.
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Clock Tower - Zytglogge reviews

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TripAdvisor traveler rating 4.0
1,807 reviews
Google
4.6
TripAdvisor
  • We were in Bern for the day and were looking forward to seeing the famous medieval clock, we watched at 11 AM, 11:30 AM and 12 noon and the figures never moved at all so we came to the conclusion... 
    We were in Bern for the day and were looking forward to seeing the famous medieval clock, we watched at 11 AM, 11:30 AM and 12 noon and the figures never moved at all so we came to the conclusion...  more »
  • The tower and its details is interesting but I did expect the figures to move a bit more. Worth seeing 
    The tower and its details is interesting but I did expect the figures to move a bit more. Worth seeing  more »
Google
  • If you have the time and budget I highly recommend booking the Clock Tower / Zytglogge tour with the Tourist Information Center at Bern train station. The tour is one hour long and the guide times it so that the group is directly at the mechanisms at the turn of the hour to see exactly how all those wheels and clogs work together to produce the delightful display of dancing figurines witnessed outside.
  • Cool clock. One of the many things that makes the cityscape of Bern interesting. Not sure I'd call it a destination in and of itself. But I'm glad I saw it while walking through the city.

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