Stiftsgebäude, Administrative building at Münsterplatz, Bern, Switzerland.
The Stiftsgebäude is an administrative building at Münsterplatz in Bern that stands out for its ornately decorated facade. The front features the Bern coat of arms in the pediment and displays classical proportions typical of 18th-century architecture.
The building was constructed between 1745 and 1755 on a site with deep religious roots, where a religious order's house and a canon's foundation once stood. The new structure marked the shift from church to secular use following the Reformation.
The name references its role as a foundation house where canons lived and worked over the centuries. The facade still reflects this religious history, even though the building now serves secular purposes.
The building sits directly on Münsterplatz, a central square in Bern's old town, making it easy to reach on foot. The interior is not open to the public as it serves as a government office, but the exterior facade and surroundings are freely visible.
The pediment above the entrance was created by Johann Friedrich Funk and features the Bern coat of arms as a fine example of baroque ornament. This detail shows the craftsmanship that went into decorating the structure.
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