Untertorbrücke

Overview

The Untertorbrücke is a stone arch bridge spanning the Aar at the eastern foot of the Old Town, and the oldest surviving bridge in Bern. Completed in 1461, it offers a low-angle view of the river and the Old Town cliff rising dramatically above.

Highlights

• Medieval Stonework: Original masonry arches from 1461, still carrying pedestrian traffic over the Aar.
• River-Level Perspective: A unique vantage point from which the Old Town appears to soar on its clifftop peninsula.
• Access to the Matte: The bridge connects the base of the Old Town cliff to the Matte riverside quarter.

History

Built in 1461 to replace an even older wooden bridge, the Untertorbrücke was for centuries the main eastern approach to Bern. A gate tower (the Untertor) once guarded its Old Town end but was demolished in the 19th century. The bridge remains a pedestrian crossing and a favourite photographers' subject.

Visitor Tips

• Tip 1: Best seen from the Nydeggbrücke above, and then walked across from the Matte quarter.
• Tip 2: The water beneath is crystal-clear in summer — watch for Aar swimmers floating past.
• Duration: 5–10 minutes.