Berne - Historical Museum Bernisches Historisches Museum

On the south side of Helvetiaplatz the Historical Museum of Berne (1892-94) is built in the style of a 16th century castle, with collections of prehistoric material, folk art and traditions, ethnography and various types of decorative and applied art. Of particular interest is the Burgundian room, with trophies won at the Battle of Grandson in 1476 (weapons, tapestries, embroidery), the Henri Moser Charlottenfels Collection (weapons and objets d'art from the Islamic East), the Lausanne cathedral treasury and late medieval tapestries.

An important collection of military uniforms includes the Landesknecht (Swiss mercenary soldier) costume of Andreas Wild of the 16th century. This colorful garment is a unique survival from the time when soldiers were as decorative as they were fierce.