Nydegg, Bern

Orientation

Nydegg occupies the eastern tip of Bern’s Old City, above and beside the Aare. It is a compact place of sharp level changes: the upper streets meet the river-facing Nydeggstalden and the low-lying Matte quarter sits along the water. The difference between the riverside and the old upper town reaches roughly 40 metres.

Start at Nydegghöfli beside Nydeggkirche. From here, the Nydeggbrücke heads east across the valley, while the older Untertorbrücke lies immediately below and north. Nydeggstalden curves downhill toward the river and the bridge approaches.

A former castle site

Nydegg developed around the former Zähringen castle at the edge of early Bern. After the castle was demolished in 1268, the riverside settlement and the area around Nydegg were gradually incorporated into the walled city during the 13th and 14th centuries.

Nydeggkirche stands on the castle site. The first chapel was consecrated in 1346; the present church acquired its prominent tower in the late 15th century. Look for the restrained sandstone exterior, the churchyard setting and the direct structural connection to the high bridge. It is the clearest fixed point for understanding where the upper city ends and the Aare slope begins.

The two Aare crossings

The contrast between the bridges is Nydegg’s essential sight.

• Untertorbrücke is Bern’s oldest surviving Aare bridge. Its current stone structure began in 1461 after a flood destroyed the earlier wooden crossing. Three low tuff-stone arches carry it close to the river.
• Nydeggbrücke, completed in 1844, was built to reduce the punishing climb between the old town and the eastern bank. It is a roughly 200-metre natural-stone bridge with three arches; its central arch spans almost 46 metres.

Walk both. From Untertorbrücke, the heavy high bridge dominates the valley overhead. From Nydeggbrücke, look down to the Aare, the older crossing and the roofs of the Matte.

Walking the area

Approach on foot through the Old City via Gerechtigkeitsgasse, then continue downhill through Nydegg. The route is short but steep, with cobbles, stairs and narrow pavements in places. Nydegg rewards a slow loop rather than a checklist: upper town to church, down to Untertorbrücke, then back up via Nydeggstalden or the high bridge.

Access warning: a major refurbishment of Nydeggbrücke is scheduled from February 2027 to December 2028. The first construction stage is planned to close the bridge to traffic; a parallel pedestrian crossing is planned for walkers and people pushing bicycles.