The Bundeshaus is the seat of the Swiss Federal Assembly and Federal Council, a Neo-Renaissance building completed in 1902 on a bluff overlooking the Aare. The copper dome is a landmark visible from much of the city. The main façade faces the Bundesplatz, a broad square that hosts a popular pop-up fountain in summer — jets of water flush from between the cobblestones, marked with the coats of arms of the cantons.
Free guided tours run on non-sitting days, taking visitors through the main debating chamber and council rooms. Book online in advance. The building's interior is impressive for a country that prides itself on republican modesty — it is a deliberate statement that democracy can have grandeur. The Bundesplatz in front hosts a farmers market twice a week and occasional public events.