Kantonalbankgebäude Bern, Bank building in Red Quarter, Bern, Switzerland.
The Kantonalbankgebäude in Bern is a bank building featuring a symmetrical stone facade crowned by life-sized statues of historical figures at the attic level. Located at Federal Square, the structure displays classical architectural elements with carefully crafted details throughout its composition.
The building was constructed in 1867 as a Museum Society House by architect Johann Caspar Wolff and originally served cultural and assembly purposes. Between 1903 and 1906, it underwent major renovations and was transformed into the headquarters of Bern Cantonal Bank.
The building once served as a social hub where people gathered on the ground floor for reading and conversation, while the upper floor hosted concerts, lectures, and formal events. This role shaped it as a cultural meeting point for the city until the early 1900s.
The building sits prominently on Federal Square, making it straightforward to locate and approach from the surrounding area. Take time to step back and examine the facade details and the statues above, as much of the craftsmanship is visible from street level.
The statues adorning the roofline are not originals but precise reproductions installed in 1924 to replace the deteriorating sculptures. This discreet restoration shows how carefully the building was maintained over the decades.
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