Parliament building celebrates centenary

One of the telescopes will take in the facade which rises above the Aare River. swiss-image.ch

For the next seven weeks, a special exhibition will highlight the Swiss parliament building's architecture and interior design.

In March 1893, members of the Swiss parliament voted overwhelmingly to finance the construction of a new parliament building. In 1902, nine years after the vote, the new building was inaugurated. The rest, as they say, is history.

The exhibition, which runs until the end of August, is designed to shed light on the architecture and the symbolic meaning behind the many wall paintings and sculptures.

telescopic views

Visitors can check out details on the façade by peering through telescopes set up in front of, and behind the building. Once inside, the exhibition focuses on the type of stone used for its construction, paintings and sculptures.

Even the steps and floors in the entrance vestibule symbolise the type of federalism practiced in Switzerland. They are made of marble and granite excavated from quarries in the four corners of the country.

In the lobby or “Wandelhalle”, where politicians normally meet or receive guests, mirrors reflect the works of art on the ceiling. These paintings represent the virtues and ideals of the confederation.

The exhibition is open every day between 10am and 6pm. A book on the building’s architecture and art is available for SFr12 ($8).

swissinfo