Church of the Holy Ghost
Bern, Switzerland
In the center of Bern, the Heiliggeistkirche, also called the Church of the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit, has baroque-style architecture that stands out among the medieval and Gothic buildings surrounding it. You can appreciate the 18th-century church with just a brief visit, or attend an event for a fuller experience.
The basics
The Church of the Holy Ghost sits on Bahnhofplatz, near Bern’s central train station, and has a large congregation—don’t be surprised if you receive a warm welcome even if you just pop your head in for a moment. It’s a Protestant church, so the interiors aren’t as elaborately decorated as other places of worship; it’s the parishioners who give this church so much character and soul.
Things to know before you go
- The church holds as many as 2,000 parishioners, so expect a crowd.
- Check out the old choir stalls that were recycled from the previous church on this site.
- The cafeteria is free and open for visitors.
How to get there
The Church of the Holy Ghost is in the heart of Bern, served by the Bern HBF bus and tram station. The largest nearby landmark is the city’s central train station: Bern HBF. Walk out of the train station, turn south, and you’ll walk right to the church in two minutes.
When to get there
The church is closed on Mondays and Saturdays, and open to visitors during limited hours on Sundays and Tuesdays through Fridays. It’s a very active place of worship and gathering, and has a full schedule of events, performances, and services alongside its regularly scheduled Mass. To view the interior, try to visit when an event or Mass isn’t in progress.
Find the oldest church in Bern nearby
Walk less than 10 minutes east of the Church of the Holy Ghost and you’ll find the Französische Kirche at the corner of Predigergasse and Zeughausgasse. “The French Church” was built in 1269 and earned its name in the 17th century, when it offered French refugees asylum. It’s still a French-speaking Protestant church today.
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