Junkerngasse 47
3011 Bern
Erlacherhof
Switzerland's first Federal Palace
Planning and execution
1745–1752
Architects
Albrecht Stürler
Client
Hieronymus von Erlach
Description
The late Baroque design of the Erlacherhof follows the principle of the ‘Hôtel entre cour et jardin’, a city palace situated between a courtyard and a garden. The architect, Albrecht Stürler, chose to forgo constructing a building facing the street in favour of a magnificent courtyard of honour. The client, Hieronymus von Erlach, was a colourful figure in old Bern. Who else could have afforded to dare such an unprecedented break with the basic urban layout of the city founded by the Zähringers?
Towards the end of the 18th century, the von Erlach family sold the palace. Following the entry of Napoleon’s troops into Bern, it served as their headquarters; later, it was used as a school in the Matte district and subsequently became the seat of the French Embassy. From 1848 to 1857, the Erlacherhof housed the federal administration and simultaneously served temporarily as the first Federal Palace. In 1857, the municipal administration returned to the Erlacherhof. Since then, the office of the Mayor and the Mayor’s Office of the City of Bern have been located in the Erlacherhof.
Visits and guided tours
Type of tour: Guided group tours and self-guided tours
Booking: required
Group size: maximum 20 people
Meeting point: Erlacherhof
Free visits
Saturday, 10:00-14:00
Sunday, 10:00-14:00
Guided Tours
Saturday, 10:00-11:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Saturday, 11:00-12:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Saturday, 13:00-14:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Sunday, 10:00-11:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Sunday, 11:00-12:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Sunday, 13:00-14:00 - Architecture students of Berner Fachhochschule BFH
Directions
Bus no. 12 from Bern railway station to "Rathaus"
Location
Junkerngasse 47
3011 Bern