The Zytglogge is a famous clock tower in the old town of Bern, Switzerland. When you decode the local German dialect its name consists of the two words ‘Zeit’ and ‘Glocke’, ‘time’ and ‘bell’. It was built between 1218 and 1220 and was once part of the protection system of the city. As the city could only grow to the west because of the geographic situation it is now at the heart of the city.
The tower contains a large clock which is one of the oldest in Switzerland (dating back to 1405) and it also has an astronomical clock showing sun and moon as well as the current zodiac sign. Next to it you can see Chronos, the God of time. Some minutes before every full hour an interesting ceremony starts including a cock, a knight ringing the bell, a lion turning his head and parade of bears.
The Zytglogge tower is located at the upper end of the famous Kramgasse. People coming from the main railway station often confuse the Zytglogge with the Käfigturm tower (also having a large clock). There is an uncomplicated way to distinguish between them: the Zytglogge has an attached urinal. If you’re legally able to pee against the tower, it is the Zytglogge.
Zygtglogge
Bern
Switzerland
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