Welttelegrafen-Denkmal (World Telegraph Monument), Bern

The World Telegraph Monument (Welttelegrafen-Denkmal) is a significant cultural and historical landmark located on Helvetia Square (Helvetiaplatz) in front of the Historical Museum in Bern. This monument incorporates a fountain and serves as a tribute to the World Telegraph Association, which was established in 1865 following a proposal by the French government at the International Conference of Lisbon in 1908.

The monument was erected in 1922 based on a design by Italian sculptor Giuseppe Romagnoli from Bologna. Romagnoli's design was selected as the winning entry in a competition that took place in 1911. The structure is particularly noted for its elaborate composition and symbolic artistry. It features a central bronze group of figures set on a monumental pedestal between two basins crafted from calcium silicate. These figures are divided into thematic units representing family, physical and mental work, pain, fertility, and mercy. Dominating the center of this arrangement is a seated female figure symbolizing the interconnectedness of the "souls of nations."

Originally, the south side of the monument featured a plaque listing the names of the 83 founding states of the World Telegraph Association. However, in 1965, to mark the centenary of the association, this plaque was replaced by another, which includes the names of the then 128 member states. This new plaque was a gift from the Swiss Federal Council.

The World Telegraph Monument is not only a commemorative piece but also a work of art that reflects the early 20th-century artistic movements and the international spirit of cooperation in telecommunications. It stands as a reminder of the pivotal role telecommunications has played in uniting different parts of the world through shared technology and purpose.