Nydeggkirche

The Nydeggkirche sits at the eastern edge of the Bernese Old Town, marked by its slender, octagonal bell tower that rises high above the Aare river bend. This site was once home to a twelfth century castle, where the ruling Zähringen dukes kept their lions to symbolize the city’s strength. After the last duke died and the castle fell into ruin, the residents reclaimed the land to build this church. The foundation stones still hold masonry from those original fortress walls.