Bern Minster

Received: 13th October 2012 Distance: 571 km (355 miles) Travel time: 8 days.

Thank you, Tabea from Switzerland!

I am happy to receive this picture of Bern Minster. I don’t climb mountains, but I love to climb churches. I’ve climbed 2 untill now: Basilica of Saint Servatius in Maastricht, Netherlands,

and St. Magnus Cathedral, Kirkwall, UK.

Now I’ve added Bern Minster to my wishlist.

The Bern Minster (German: Berner Münster) is a Swiss Reformed cathedral, (or minster) in the old city of Bern, Switzerland. Built in the Gothic style, its construction started in 1421. Its tower, with a height of 100.6 m (330 ft), was only completed in 1893. It is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland and is a Cultural Property of National Significance.

The Minster of Bern is located on the southern side of the Aare peninsula. The cathedral is oriented east and west like the rest of the Old City of Bern. To the north, Münstergasse runs along the side of the building. The west façade of the Münster dominates Münsterplatz. On the south side of the cathedral is the Münsterplattform.

The tower is open to the public, for a small fee. The lower viewing platform requires a climb up 254 steps and provides a view over Bern and perhaps as far as the Alps. The upper spire is also accessible by climbing an additional 90 steps from the lower platform.

The largest bell in the tower is a 10.5 ton bell which was cast in 1611. It is the largest bell in Switzerland. The bells in the tower are rung daily at noon and at 6 p.m. It is possible to stand near the bells when they are rung, but it is necessary to cover one's ears to prevent hearing damage.

Source Wikipedia.

 

Sorry, no stamp on this postcard.