Zytglogge, Medieval clock tower in Green Quarter, Bern, Switzerland.
The Zytglogge is a sandstone tower in Bern that rises roughly 55 meters high and displays large clock faces on its east and west sides. These show not only the time but also information about zodiac signs and moon phases.
The tower originated in 1220 as part of Bern's western fortifications, initially serving as a guard post. Over the centuries its functions shifted, and a large bell cast in 1405 continues to define the city's soundscape today.
The tower was long the heartbeat of Bern's daily life, and people organized their routines around its bell strikes. The mechanical figures that perform before each hour reflect how the city historically understood time and rhythm.
You can view the structure from outside at any time, and guided tours are available for those wanting to see the clock mechanisms from the inside. The best view of the figures and clock faces comes from standing directly in front of it or observing from the surrounding balconies.
A gilded figure representing the god Chronos has moved the great bell for centuries without pause. This mechanical figure is the oldest still-functioning part of the system and often goes unnoticed despite being the true heart of the tower's operation.
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