The museum holds the largest collection of works by Paul Klee in the world.
It famously became the repository for the controversial 'Gurlitt hoard' discovered in 2012, which included works looted by the Nazis.
The collection features major works by the Swiss Symbolist painter Ferdinand Hodler, after whom the street Hodlerstrasse is named.
The museum's holdings include important works by Impressionist masters like Claude Monet and Post-Impressionists like Vincent van Gogh.
The building was designed by architect Eugen Stettler in a style inspired by the Italian Renaissance.
It holds one of the most comprehensive collections of Swiss art dating from the 15th century to the present day.
The Kunstmuseum Bern is the oldest art museum in Switzerland with a permanent collection that has remained open to the public since 1879. The institution houses an extensive collection spanning eight centuries, ranging from Italian Trecento art to contemporary works. Key holdings include significant pieces by Pablo Picasso, Paul Klee, and Ferdinand Hodler. The museum is renowned for its historical role in managing the Gurlitt estate, which contained works recovered after World War II. Its collection features over 4,000 paintings and sculptures alongside approximately 48,000 drawings, prints, and photographs. The architecture comprises both the original 19th-century building and a modern annex completed in 1983. It is situated in the heart of the Swiss capital, serving as a cornerstone of the national cultural landscape.
The minimalist, wide-open staircase connecting the original building to the modern annex.
Check the museum's website for rotating temporary exhibitions before arrival.
Utilize the museum's digital archive if you are looking for specific provenance information regarding their collection.
Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Old City of Bern, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Do not overlook the smaller, temporary exhibition spaces that often highlight niche historical movements.
Closed on Mondays.
Photography is permitted without flash; large bags and backpacks must be stored in provided lockers.
