Wheelchair users / visitors with reduced mobility
The main building of the Historischen Museum Bern was built in a revivalist style in 1894, modelled on châteaux of the 15th and 16th century. For this reason it is only partially wheelchair-accessible. We are constantly striving, however, to improve accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility.
Accessibility:
The museum can be entered by an external lift (access to the external lift from the Bernastrasse entrance).
Permanent exhibitions in the old building:
The following permanent exhibitions are open and wheelchair-accessible: “Stone Age, Celts and Romans”, “Art from Asia and Oceania”, parts of the permanent exhibitions “From the Early Middle Ages to the Federal State” (partially wheelchair-accessible with ramps) and “Bern and the 20th Century”. Not wheelchair-accessible are the permanent exhibitions: “American Indians – Diversity of Cultures in America”, “Treasures from the Tombs of Ancient Egypt”, “Oriental Collection”, and parts of the permanent exhibition “From the Early Middle Ages to the Federal State” (namely, the Von Mülinen Cabinet, Guild Silverware, historic rooms, and Bern in the 18th/19th century).
Einstein Museum in the old building:
The Einstein Museum is located on the top floor of the Historisches Museum Bern and can be reached by lift. It’s situated on a single level, and is fully wheelchair-accessible, without steps, thresholds or other obstacles.
Temporary exhibitions room in the new annex:
The temporary exhibitions room is located in the museum’s new KUBUS annex. The entrance room is accessible by lift from the entrance hall in the annex (basement level -1). The main exhibition room is one floor lower; it too is accessible by lift (basement level - 2).
Flooring:
All accessible rooms in the permanent exhibitions have smooth parquet or stone-flagged floors or low-pile carpeting that’s easy for wheelchairs to move over. The temporary exhibition room in the annex has a concrete floor.
Disabled toilets:
The museum’s three wheelchair-accessible toilets are located:
- on the first basement floor of the old building, accessible by lift from the entrance hall in the old building: door width 90 cm, height of toilet seat 45 cm, hinged support arm and grab rail present. Wheelchair-accessible wall-mounted washbasin, with mirror placed at a low level.
- on the top floor of the old building (Einstein Museum). Accessible by lift from the entrance hall in the old building: door width 79 cm, height of toilet seat 42 cm, hinged support arm and grab rail present. Wheelchair-accessible wall-mounted washbasin, with mirror placed at a low level.
- In the temporary exhibition room in the new annex. Accessible by lift from the entrance hall in the annex (basement level – 2): door width 90 cm, height of toilet seat 45 cm, hinged support arm and grab rail present. Wheelchair-accessible wall-mounted washbasin, with mirror placed at a low level.
Arriving at the museum:
Disabled visitors can reach the museum by public transport by using the level-boarding (wheelchair-accessible) tram no. 3 or 5 (http://www.bernmobil.ch/handicap/handicap.php) Take the tram as far as the “Helvetiaplatz” stop.
Visitors in wheelchairs should enter the museum from the Bernastrasse to the right of the main entrance. Roughly 100 metres further on you’ll find the courtyard entrance to the museum with an open wrought iron gate. Enter from there and continue for some 50 metres to the door to the external lift. Here you’ll find a bell. Please ring: the museum staff will open the door for you and accompany you to the lift which will take you into the entrance hall.
For disabled guests arriving by car or other transport for the disabled, a designated disabled parking place is available in the courtyard next to the door to the external lift (accessible from the Bernastrasse).
Special needs:
The museum has its own wheelchair which can be borrowed by visitors with reduced mobility (please reserve in advance by telephone, Tel. 031 350 77 11).
Bistro Steinhalle in the Museum Park
Though the Bistro Steinhalle can be reached by wheelchair, access to it is by a rough gravel path from the gateway to the right of the main entrance. It is possible, however, for cars to stop right in front of the Bistro to allow disabled passengers to get out or in. Unfortunately the Bistro Steinhalle has no disabled toilet of its own.
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