Einstein House

Overview

Einstein House is the second-floor apartment at Kramgasse 49 where Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905. It was here that the 26-year-old patent clerk developed his theory of special relativity and published four groundbreaking papers in the 'Annus Mirabilis' of 1905.

Highlights

• Preserved Apartment: The parlour and study are furnished in period style, recreating the atmosphere of Einstein's daily life.
• Documentary Exhibition: Photographs, letters, and documents trace Einstein's years in Bern and the development of his revolutionary ideas.
• Location on Kramgasse: The house sits in the heart of the UNESCO Old Town, surrounded by arcades and fountains.

History

Einstein arrived in Bern in 1902 to work as a technical expert at the Swiss Federal Patent Office. Living with his wife Mileva Marić and their son Hans Albert, he used his evenings and weekends to pursue his theoretical work. In 1905, he published papers on the photoelectric effect, Brownian motion, special relativity, and mass-energy equivalence (E = mc²). The apartment was opened as a museum in 1979.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Combine with a visit to the Einstein Museum inside the Bernisches Historisches Museum for a deeper dive.
• Tip 2: The museum is small — 20–30 minutes is sufficient for a thorough visit.
• Duration: 20–30 minutes.