The Zytglogge is a medieval clock tower from the early 13th century and the symbolic centre of Bern. At four minutes before each hour a display of mechanical figures — a jester, a procession of bears, knights, and the figure of Father Time — plays out above the clock face. The tower originally served as a watchtower and city gate; guided tours can be arranged to see the clockwork mechanism inside.
The mechanism dates from around 1530 and includes an astronomical clock showing the day, month, lunar cycle, and zodiac sign. Tours go inside the tower to see the gears and weights; book through the local tourist office as numbers are limited. The square around the tower is a natural gathering point and the base for most walking tours of the Old Town.