Sandrainstrasse 25
3007 Bern
Gaskessel
Youth culture since 1971
Further information
The Gaskessel Bern is one of the oldest youth and cultural centres in Europe. Founded at the beginning of the Bernese youth riots, it became an important platform for free space in Bern. Since the early 1970s, cultural events such as concerts, parties, theatre performances, exhibitions, discussions, film nights and many other events have been held here on a regular basis. The entire complex is located in the former gas reservoirs of the city of Bern directly next to the River Aare on the Gaswerk site and is divided into two spherical hemispheres. Due to the changing needs of visitors, structural changes are constantly being made to the unconventional architecture.
Set up as an association, the Gaskessel is supported and run by up to 200 committed young people, which is why the threshold for joining the association is deliberately kept low. The Gaskessel thus makes a significant contribution to the promotion of young people in Bern. The Gaskessel offers young people from the Bern region full participation: by organising a wide variety of events and working in the business. Furthermore, everyone benefits from a wide range of learning opportunities: from work experience at events to strategic thinking and action.
Visits and guided tours
Type of visit: Guided tours in groups and individual tours
Registration: not required - first come, first serve
Meeting point: outside in front of the main entrance
Guided tour 1: The gas boiler behind the scenes
By young people for young people: The Gaskessel is a large-scale operation that is co-designed by up to 200 young association members. We are committed to genuine participation - on this guided tour you will find out from the young people themselves what this means in structural terms and how much voluntary commitment is actually involved.
Guided tour by: Lena Käsermann and Ilja Novak
Guided tour 2: Building history and renovation
A monument to youth culture: the former gasometers have been domes of cultural diversity in Bern since 1971. Starting with the history of the construction of the gas boiler, through the conversions in the 00s, we will take you into the future and give you an insight into the major upcoming renovation of the gas boiler.
Guided tour by: Andreas Germann (architect and project manager for the refurbishment on behalf of the city (ISB), Michael Högger (architect), Anna Beer (member of the Gaskessel board and on the building committee for the refurbishment)
Directions
Tram no. 9 to "Sulgenau"
Bus no. 19 to "Sulgenau"
or 15min walk from Bern railway station
Location
Sandrainstrasse 25
3007 Bern