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Someone is holding a sheet of paper with information printed on it. Although the text is not fully visible, the document appears to contain historical content or possibly information for a tour or historical event.
The photo shows a group of people who appear to be on a city tour. They are standing on a pavement and engrossed in a conversation; an urban street scene with buildings, trees and a café can be seen in the background.

On the Trail of Bern’s Colonial Past

This tour explores Bern’s colonial past – including financial speculation, ethnological expositions, and a South African plant that somehow found its way to the Swiss capital.

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Useful information

  • City of Bern
The photo shows a group of people who appear to be on a city tour. They are standing on a pavement and engrossed in a conversation; an urban street scene with buildings, trees and a café can be seen in the background.
© Stiftung Cooperaxion


Switzerland was neither a colonial power nor a seafaring nation, and yet Swiss trading companies and families were still involved in activities such as investing in slavery, exporting textiles or traveling abroad as natural scientists.

Someone is holding a sheet of paper with information printed on it. Although the text is not fully visible, the document appears to contain historical content or possibly information for a tour or historical event.
© Stiftung Cooperaxion


Traces of Bern’s involvement in the slave trade and colonialism are still visible in the city – if not at first glance. Discover a different side of Bern, and learn about the city’s history and stories related to slavery, racist stereotypes, and colonialism without colonies.

Information & Prices

On the Trail of Bern’s Colonial Past
Execution
All year round
Meeting point
Open in Google Maps
Included services
Guide
Duration
1h 30min
Number of participants
10 - 20
Price
25.00 CHF per person (minimum 10 people)
for groups at least CHF 300.00
Season
Year-round, Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter
Language
German, French, English
Region
City of Bern