Federal Palace of Switzerland, Parliament building on Bundesplatz, Bern, Switzerland
The Federal Palace extends over 300 meters with a central parliament building flanked by east and west wings, displaying Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts architectural styles. The structure is defined by elaborate facades marked by balanced proportions and decorative details throughout.
Construction began with the west wing in 1852, followed by the east wing in 1884, and completed with the central parliament building in 1902. This gradual expansion reflected the growth and development of the Swiss state during that century.
The building displays stones from different Swiss regions and decorative elements that reflect the constitutional principles and diversity of the 26 cantons. These materials and details tell the story of the country's federal structure and its many separate regions.
Visitors can admire the building from the outside and explore its impressive architecture from various angles around the federal city. Guided tours of the interior are available but have limited availability and require advance planning.
The east wing stands on the site of the old Inselspital, a hospital built 1718–1724 to plans by Franz Beer. When it was demolished in 1888, a Jewish tombstone came to light, and another in 1901 during work on Bundesplatz; both belonged to the medieval Jewish cemetery expropriated in 1294. An information board has marked this since September 2009.
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