Bernabrunnen (Berna Fountain), Bern

The Berna Fountain (Bernabrunnen), a historic fountain in Bern, stands in the inner courtyard of the west wing of the Federal Palace, just south of Bundesgasse. This fountain was erected in 1858, following a decision by the Bern municipal council to enhance the courtyard with a water feature. Although there was initial uncertainty about the statue's design, two years later, the Dutch sculptor Joseph Hubert Verbunt crafted the fountain.

Its base is adorned with lion heads and bears the year 1858, symbolizing the Gotthard massif. Water flows from four gooseneck spouts into a basin shaped like a Swiss cross, representing the four major rivers originating in the Gotthard massif: the Rhone, Rhine, Reuss, and Ticino. The pedestal features four white-painted bronze sculptures representing the four seasons.

Rising from the base, a column supports a bronze statue of Berna, a female figure embodying both the city and canton of Bern. This personification of Berna is cloaked, wears a crown resembling a city wall, and holds a lance in her right hand while gripping a shield bearing Bern's coat of arms in her left. The statue was modeled on Hermine Klein, the daughter of a former federal woman, and serves as a striking tribute to the Swiss capital's heritage.