Description of the attraction
The Nidegkirche Church is located on the eastern edge of Bern's Old Town in the Nideg Fort. The old town is located on a peninsula, in the loop of the Aare river and developed in stages. Bern's first expansion took place in 1191. In 1190, in the eastern part of the peninsula, Count Berthold V von Tseringen founded a small fort called Niedeg Castle. After the death of the Tseringen family, the castle was transferred to the possession of the city and demolished in the period from 1268 to 1270 by the inhabitants of Bern, who sought to improve the fort of Nideg. The castle building consisted of two corner towers and was located in the place where the church choir now stands.
The original small church with a spire, dedicated to Mary Magdalene, was built from 1341 to 1346 to replace the old fortress. In 1480-1483 a bell tower was added to it, in 1493-1504 a new nave was built. After the Reformation, in 1529 Nidegkirche became a warehouse for barrels, timber and grain, but in 1566 it was rebuilt as a place of worship.
In 1863, the church was extended to the west, and another entrance was made from the side of the Niedegbrücke bridge. Then, from 1951 to 1953, a complete reconstruction of the building was carried out, both inside and outside. During the reconstruction, the architect Marcel Perinkaioli created bronze reliefs that were added to the design of the main entrance and the entrance from the bridge.
In 1857, the Nideghoflibrunen (or Staldenbrunen) fountain was installed in the courtyard in front of the church. Then, in 1968, a monument to Count Berthold V von Tseringen appeared there.
