Von Werdt Memorial at Klösterlistutz

About the building

At the lower end of Klösterlistutz, opposite the Untertor bridge, a small memorial is set into the retaining wall. It recalls Sigmund Rudolf von Werdt, a lieutenant who died here on 18 September 1802. The German inscription, cut in Roman capitals, says that the city of Bern honours its noble citizen, who died at this spot fighting for its liberation; he was 21 years old.

The background is the Stecklikrieg. After the French troops withdrew in the summer of 1802, federalists in several cantons rose against the Helvetic Republic. Insurgents from Aargau, Solothurn and Bern marched on the city of Bern; after a brief bombardment the Helvetic government gave up on 18 September and was allowed to withdraw to Lausanne. The later name of the uprising refers to the wooden clubs, the “Steckli”, with which many poorly armed fighters set out.

The sources disagree on when the memorial was erected. The City of Bern’s building inventory dates it to 1822, twenty years after the death. Berchtold Weber’s historical-topographical lexicon of Bern and the federal inventory of army and war memorials give 1806 instead; according to Weber it was unveiled in December 1806 and restored in 1879. The army inventory names the Bern city council as its author.

Two granite steps lead up to a small paved platform. At the sides, stepped walls of roughly dressed granite with limestone cornices frame a panel of finely worked limestone. Above it sits a segmental pediment with a bronze wreath of honour; a sword and a sceptre, also in bronze, frame the short dedication. The heritage office describes the style as plainly classicist with Empire influences. Weeping willows originally shaded the site; plane trees were planted later. The memorial is aligned on the axis of the street that comes up from the Untertor bridge.

Researched and summarised by Bärn Kit. Sources: Bauinventar der Stadt Bern: Klösterlistutz NN (Von Werdt-Denkmal) · Wikidata: Q83886287 · Burgerbibliothek Bern, Historisch-Topographisches Lexikon (Berchtold Weber): von Werdt-Denkmal · Schweizer Armee: Inventar der Armee- und Kriegsdenkmäler Kanton Bern (2025), Nr. BE 17 · HLS: Stecklikrieg (Jürg Stüssi-Lauterburg)