How long does it take to walk the Einstein route in Bern?

The walk takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes. This includes time to stop and admire the landmarks like the Zytglogge and the Einstein House, though you may want to allow extra time if you plan to go inside the museums.

Is the Einstein House in Bern worth visiting?

Yes, it is highly recommended for those interested in science history. It is the actual apartment where Einstein lived during his 'Miracle Year' of 1905, and it remains preserved with period-appropriate decor and informative exhibits about his work.

Can I see the Einstein sites in Bern for free?

You can view the exterior of all major sites, including the Zytglogge, the Patent Office, and the Einstein House building, for free. Walking the route itself costs nothing, though the Einstein Museum and the interior of the Einstein House require paid admission.

Where did Einstein work in Bern?

Einstein worked at the Swiss Federal Institute of Intellectual Property, which was located at the corner of Speichergasse and Genfergasse (now the Haus der Kantone). He worked there as a patent clerk from 1902 until 1909.

Is Bern easy to walk for seniors?

Bern's Old Town is relatively flat, making it manageable for seniors. However, the streets are largely cobblestone, so comfortable walking shoes are essential. The city's famous arcades also provide plenty of shade and protection from rain.

What is the best time to do a walking tour in Bern?

The best time is mid-morning, around 10:00 AM. This allows you to avoid the early commute crowds and ensures that the museums and the Einstein House are open if you choose to enter them.

Which clock tower inspired Einstein's theory of relativity?

The Zytglogge (Clock Tower) in Bern is the landmark most associated with Einstein's thought experiments. It is believed that observing the synchronization of the city's clocks from a moving tram helped him conceptualize the relativity of time.

Zigway - The Guide Follows You

About This Tour

Step into the 'Annus Mirabilis' of 1905, the year a young patent clerk in Bern fundamentally reshaped our understanding of the universe. This self-guided walk invites you to explore the cobblestone streets of Bern’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site that served as the backdrop for Albert Einstein’s most revolutionary discoveries. As you wander through the medieval arcades, you are following the very footsteps Einstein took between his humble apartment, the federal patent office, and the local cafes where he debated physics with his closest friends. This neighborhood stroll captures the atmosphere of early 20th-century Switzerland, blending high-level science with the charming, slow-paced life of the Aare River peninsula. The route highlights the intellectual and personal life of the physicist during his seven-year stay in the city. You will see the famous Zytglogge clock tower, which many historians believe sparked his thoughts on time dilation and simultaneity as he watched the city's synchronized clocks. The walking route also takes you to the Einstein House on Kramgasse, where he lived while developing the Special Theory of Relativity. Beyond the science, this journey explores the architectural grandeur of Bern, from the vaulted ceilings of the Kornhauskeller to the academic halls of the University of Bern. Whether you are a science enthusiast or a history buff, this experience offers a unique lens through which to view the Swiss capital. Explore independently and at your own pace, discovering how a quiet civil servant became a global icon of genius. Along the way, you'll encounter the sites where he worked, studied, and socialized, providing a comprehensive look at the man behind the E=mc² equation. This walking tour Bern provides a deep dive into the historical context of the Swiss capital during its golden age of intellectual pursuit.

Highlights

The Einstein House where Special Relativity was born

The iconic Zytglogge clock tower's connection to time theory

The former Patent Office where Einstein worked as a clerk

Stunning views of the Aare River and UNESCO Old Town

The University of Bern where Einstein began his academic career

The grand Baroque architecture of the Kornhauskeller

Tour Stops (6)

Bernisches Historisches Museum / Einstein Museum

Start exploring with Zigway at the Bernisches Historisches Museum, which houses the world's most extensive permanent exhibition dedicated to Albert Einstein. While the museum itself is a neo-historical castle, the Einstein wing uses cutting-edge displays to explain both his complex theories and his personal life. Einstein arrived in Bern in 1902, struggling to find work before securing a position at the patent office. It was during his time in this city that he published four groundbreaking papers in 1905, changing physics forever. Take a moment to appreciate the view of the Old Town across the Kirchenfeld Bridge before you begin your walk into the heart of the city where these ideas were formed.

Einstein House (Einsteinhaus)

Located at Kramgasse 49, this second-floor apartment is where Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905 with his wife, Mileva Marić, and their son, Hans Albert. It was in this very space, amidst the mundane realities of family life, that he formulated the Special Theory of Relativity. The apartment has been restored with period furniture, offering a glimpse into the modest lifestyle of the man who would become the world's most famous scientist. Notice the long arcades outside; Bern has miles of these sheltered walkways, which Einstein would have used daily, regardless of the weather, as he walked to work or met with his 'Olympia Academy' discussion group.

Zytglogge (Clock Tower)

The Zytglogge is more than just a beautiful medieval clock tower; it is a central character in the story of relativity. As a patent clerk, Einstein was responsible for examining applications for the synchronization of clocks, a major industrial challenge of the time. Legend suggests that as he traveled on the city's electric trams and looked back at this tower, he wondered what would happen to his watch if the tram moved away from the clock at the speed of light. This thought experiment led to the realization that time is not absolute. Watch the mechanical figures perform their hourly dance, a spectacle that has occurred since 1530, long before Einstein pondered the nature of time itself.

Kornhauskeller Restaurant & Bar

This grand underground space, once a granary, represents the social heart of Bern. While Einstein was a man of intense focus, he was also known to enjoy the city's vibrant atmosphere. The Kornhauskeller, with its high vaulted ceilings and ornate frescoes, dates back to the early 18th century. In Einstein's era, the city was a hub of intellectual exchange, filled with students and thinkers from across Europe. Even if you don't stop for a meal, the architecture here illustrates the wealth and stability of the city that provided Einstein with the 'secular cloister' he needed to focus on his work without the distractions of the high-pressure academic world.

Haus der Kantone (Former Patent Office)

This building formerly housed the Swiss Federal Intellectual Property Office, where Einstein worked as a 'Technical Expert Class III.' He famously referred to the patent office as his 'worldly cloister,' where he could earn a stable living while using his remaining mental energy to probe the mysteries of the universe. He worked here eight hours a day, six days a week, often tucking his scientific notes into his desk drawer when his supervisor approached. It was here that he processed patents for everything from gravel sorters to weather stations, a practical grounding that many believe helped him visualize his abstract physics thought experiments.

University of Bern

Your self-guided adventure concludes at the University of Bern. After the success of his 1905 papers, Einstein sought to enter the world of academia. In 1908, he became a 'Privatdozent' or part-time lecturer here. Interestingly, his initial application was rejected because he hadn't submitted a habilitation thesis—even though he had already published the theory of relativity! Eventually, he began teaching theoretical physics classes in the evenings. The university stands as a symbol of his transition from an obscure clerk to a respected professor, a journey that began in the narrow streets you just traversed. From here, you are perfectly positioned to explore the modern campus or head back to the main train station.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Einstein Relativity Route is widely considered the best for history enthusiasts. It connects the UNESCO-listed medieval architecture of the Old Town with the life of its most famous resident, Albert Einstein, covering his home, workplace, and the sites that inspired his theories.