Former inn at Melchenbühlweg 23

About the building

On Melchenbühlweg in the east of Bern stands a two-storey half-timbered house under a partial hipped roof. Above the low ground floor rises a strikingly tall, prestigious upper floor. The three-bay gable end has a paired window, St Andrew's crosses fill the panels below the windows, and a far-projecting roof shelters the front.

The house was built around 1640, probably as an inn. The architect and client are unknown. Its position explains its use: the route from Haspelgasse over the Melchenbühl is mentioned in a document as early as 1262 and was formerly the cart road to the Bernese Oberland. The line Haspelgasse–Melchenbühlweg can still be traced on the city map today.

On the eaves sides there are galleries on the upper floor, and in the north-west also a projection for the privy, next to the former covered entrances. Towards the end of the 19th century the north-west gable end was replaced by a solid façade of yellowish exposed brick, and the original gallery disappeared. During a restoration in 1980 the house regained its original colour scheme: dark red timberwork with brown and ochre framing bands.

According to the building inventory, the fittings are also very well preserved, including rich early Baroque panelling in the former guest room. The inventory calls the house a magnificent early Baroque half-timbered building; it has been protected by agreements since 2005 and 2012. It belongs to the Melchenbühl structural group.

From the path you can clearly see the St Andrew's crosses in the panels and the contrast between the old half-timbered front and the later brick side.

Researched and summarised by Bärn Kit. Sources: Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Melchenbühlweg 23 · Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Quartiergeschichte Allmend-Murifeld · Wikidata: Q139044280