Nydegg church, Gothic church in Mattequartier, Bern, Switzerland
Nydegg Church is a Gothic structure at the eastern edge of Bern's Old City, with a 41-meter stone tower as its most striking feature. Bronze relief portals frame the entrances and add detail to the building's exterior.
The church was built between 1341 and 1346, replacing an earlier fortress that Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen had established in 1190. This construction marked an important shift in how the city's eastern border was used and defined.
The windows contain heraldic glass from different centuries, each one representing a ruling family that shaped Bern's history. These artworks reflect the artistic traditions that flourished in the city.
You can reach the church by crossing Nydeggbrücke bridge from the main city area. Guided tours are available if you want to learn about the Gothic details and see the interior.
In 1995, Pastor Klaus Bäumlin performed one of Europe's earliest religious ceremonies for a same-sex couple within these walls. This moment revealed how the church opened itself to changes that reflected broader shifts in society.
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