Rathaus Bern

The Rathaus (Town Hall) is the political centre for the Canton and City of Bern. This is where the Cantonal Parliament holds its sessions four times a year and where the Cantonal Government meets each week. The Rathaus is also where the City of Bern’s parliament convenes.
The building is over 600 years old and has undergone numerous structural alterations in order to meet the growing and changing needs of Bern’s government and administration. During the last major renovations from 1940 to 1942, the magnificent portico on the ground floor, one of the most impressive late mediaeval rooms in Switzerland, was restored to its former glory. The parliament chamber and the lobby (Wandelhalle) were completely redesigned. Since then, the Rathaus has gradually been modernised and equipped to meet the latest technical requirements.