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The Zytglogge is a medieval clock tower that has stood at the heart of Bern's Old Town since the early 13th century. Originally built as the western gate of the city, it became a prison, then the city's master clock — its astronomical dial and animated figurines have been captivating visitors since 1530.
Built around 1218–1220 as Bern's first western city gate, the tower survived a fire in 1405 and was rebuilt in its current form. After the city expanded westward, it was repurposed as a clock tower and briefly as a women's prison. The clock mechanism installed in 1530 is one of the oldest functioning astronomical clocks in Europe.