Bern Memorial Site

Nazi Germany (1933–1945) murdered six million Jews and committed other mass atrocities that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives. Neutral Switzerland was confronted with the persecution and extermination policies of its neighboring state and faced difficult decisions—particularly regarding refugee policy and how to deal with the exploitative German war economy. To commemorate the victims of National Socialism, the Confederation, in cooperation with the City of Bern and civil society initiatives, is establishing a memorial site in the capital. It focuses on the scope for action and the responsibility of politics and society at the time. Engaging with the past sharpens awareness of the importance of democracy, human rights, and civil courage.

The crimes of the Nazi regime occurred more than 80 years ago, yet their impact continues to this day. Victims of the systematic mass murder included Jews, Roma, Sinti, and Yenish people, as well as people with disabilities. Political opponents were persecuted and murdered. All individuals whom the National Socialists defined as foreign, inferior, or dangerous were at risk of persecution, violence, and death. Many of the persecuted belonged to minorities against whom prejudices existed not only in Germany but also in many other countries.

Neutral Switzerland was forced to take a position: refugees from abroad sought protection in a country largely spared by the war, attempting to cross the border from the Nazi Reich, occupied France, and fascist Italy. Threatened Swiss citizens abroad appealed to the authorities in Switzerland for help. Generally, refugees were considered undesirable in Switzerland, yet despite this policy of rejection, many individuals bravely and selflessly provided assistance.

To prevent state mass atrocities in the future, human rights and the international protection of minorities were strengthened after 1945 – rights that are by no means self-evident and are repeatedly disregarded.

Remembering the victims of National Socialist crimes is significant for our present and future. Through art and information, the memorial site aims to encourage engagement with the past. As a living place of remembrance, it creates space for dialogue and reflection and strengthens awareness of civil courage, solidarity, human rights, and democracy.

In 2023, the Federal Council commissioned the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs to establish the memorial site and allocated CHF 2.5 million for this purpose. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, in cooperation with the host municipality of Bern and civil society initiatives, laid the groundwork and launched an international competition for the implementation of the memorial site. The competition jury is chaired by Madeleine Schuppli.

The memorial site will be realized on the terrace above the Casino car park. This lively square is located in the heart of the capital Bern, in the immediate vicinity of the Federal Palace. The choice of location expresses the historical responsibility of politics and society.

The competition program was published on simap, the federal procurement platform, in July 2025. In the pre-qualification phase, 55 interdisciplinary teams applied. At the end of 2025, the jury selected 11 teams to develop project proposals.
The submitted projects are scheduled to be evaluated in summer 2026.

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs:
Swiss Memorial for the Victims of National Socialism – A Memorial Site in the City of Bern

Procurement Platform simap