Burgerbibliothek of Berne, Public academic archive in Bern, Switzerland
The Burgerbibliothek Bern is a public archive in the center of Bern that holds medieval manuscripts, printed works, private estates, and administrative records of the Burgergemeinde. The collections span from the Middle Ages to the 20th century and cover local history as well as the papers of individuals connected to the city.
The archive was established in 1951 when manuscript and graphic collections were separated from the former City and University Library of Bern. From that point, it grew into a specialized institution focused on local and regional sources.
The reading room brings together family papers, personal letters, and handwritten documents that belonged to ordinary and notable Bern citizens alike. Sitting at one of the tables, a visitor can leaf through materials that connect directly to the people who shaped the city.
The reading room is open to researchers from Tuesday through Friday during daytime hours, and it is worth booking a visit in advance. Tours and access to exhibitions can be arranged on request, even outside standard opening times.
Among the best-known pieces in the collection is the illuminated Bern Chronicle by Diebold Schilling, a hand-painted manuscript from the late 15th century that depicts the city's daily life and military campaigns in vivid detail. The archive also holds the papers of Albrecht von Haller, one of the leading naturalists of the 18th century, who was born in Bern.
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