FROM THE VOLKSHAUS TO THE HOTEL BERN
The Hotel Bern, formerly the Berner Volkshaus, is a historic location of international importance. It was here that Lenin discussed the world revolution and brilliant thinkers sought ways to bring an end to the genocide of the First World War. In 1918, angry workers were on the verge of proclaiming the Swiss Revolution. Since its renaming in 1981, the Hotel Bern has remained a place of discussion and conviviality. One particular gem is the painting ‘The Speaker’ by Eduard Boss, which depicts the trade unionist and National Councillor Howard Eugster and has long adorned the building.
The Volkshaus before the Volkshaus
1893
Before the new Volkshaus on Bern’s Zeughausgasse, today’s “Hotel Bern”, was opened in 1914, another Volkshaus already stood on this site. It was the oldest in Switzerland and was built in 1893 after several years of planning – at a time when people in Zurich, for example, were just beginning to think about having their own Volkshaus.
Palace of dirt and iron
1914
The original Volkshaus was demolished in 1911 and rebuilt in 1914 as a “palace of dirt and iron” (concrete). At the time, it was an exclamation mark of modernism in a museum city made of sandstone. The monumental Art Nouveau façade shows the self-confident aspirations of its builders: the city’s labour associations. With the Volkshaus, the trade unions had not only finally created their own building, with a cinema, dining hall, women’s and men’s baths, they were also driving forward the social modernisation of Switzerland. They demanded a meeting place not just for themselves, but for everyone.
A visit from world history
1915
Around 1915, Switzerland was a relatively free place for European opponents of the war. Exiles were wandering the streets of Bern – including Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov, known as Lenin. In February 1915, he gathered the delegates of the Bolshevik groups abroad in the new Volkshaus, who took power in Russia shortly afterwards. An international socialist women’s and youth conference was also held in this first year of operation. In September, world history returned to the Volkshaus for the third time that year: Socialists from the countries at war with each other gathered at the Zeughausgasse once again, including Lenin.
From general strike to debt-restructuring moratorium
1941
The large building quickly became the centre of left-wing meetings, conferences and mobilisations. In 1918, the “Olten Action Committee” called for a protest strike in the People’s House, which later led to a nationwide general strike. The labour movement also had its offices here. In addition to a library and a “people’s cinema”, there was also a public bathhouse, two restaurants, a hairdresser’s shop and a shoe shop around 1919. However, some businesses did not bring in enough money for the company, which led to financial losses from 1936 onwards.
In 1940, Volkshaus AG applied for insolvency proceedings and the creditors set up a restructuring commission. Just avoiding bankruptcy, the capital was written off to zero and a new AG was founded, into which more than a dozen Bernese trade unions, the left-wing Union Printing Company and the local community brought in new capital of 214,000 francs at the beginning of 1945. Towards the end of the war, things improved and the new Volkshaus AG generated increasing profits.
Blood and liver sausages, turtle soup
1944
The Volkshaus was a workers’ pub where people on low incomes used to meet for meals in the 1920s. However, it was soon criticised for being too expensive and only for the better off. “People’s houses must have people’s prices. People’s houses should offer ordinary citizens a tasty meal and a pleasant, comfortable hotel room at modest prices,” it said in the 1947 annual report. However, in the fourth year of the Second World War and with federal food rationing, the food served there was by no means poor. Even real turtle soup was on offer.
Gutting and new construction
1981
By its 50th birthday, the Volkshaus was economically consolidated and many trade unions had moved out. Modernisation was therefore carried out: in 1972, the public bathing establishment was closed. In 1974, Volkshaus AG leased the neighbouring “Hotel Continental” to offer rooms with private bathrooms. At the end of the 1970s, a new beginning was ventured: the Volkshaus from 1914 was demolished, except for the monumental façade facing Zeughausgasse and the oriel building above Schützengässchen. A new building was erected behind it and the General Assembly decided to call it the “Hotel Bern” and upgrade it to four-star standard.
The Volkshaus Bern in its anniversary year
2014
The Volkshaus was renamed Hotel Bern in 1981, but it returned to its roots in 2013, reopening the Volkshaus 1914 restaurant and bar on 23 August after a 53-day renovation phase. The newly chosen name looks back on a 100-year history. The Art Nouveau style of the façade has been recreated in a contemporary style inside the restaurant – a successful fusion of tradition and modernity. The picture “The Speaker”, painted by Eduard Boss, is a special gem. It is the only painting to have survived the 100th anniversary of the Volkshaus and is a silent witness to an eventful period.
Elaborate remodelling
2018-2020
Between 2018 and 2020, the building was extensively remodelled and transformed into an exclusive boutique hotel. With great attention to detail, high-quality seminar rooms were created that combine functionality and aesthetics. In addition, the unique Attika Bar was created, which has become a highlight of the hotel with its breathtaking view and first-class service.
Today
2024
Today, the Hotel Bern is one of the most popular hotels in Bern, both with private guests and seminar participants. It combines tradition and modernity with first-class service and is ideally equipped for the future.
