Matte District

The Matte is the Old Town’s quieter, riverside underbelly—literally below it. While the famous arcaded streets run along the spine of the sandstone peninsula, the Matte sits down at water level on a strip of the Aare between the medieval Untertorbrücke and the Nydeggbrücke, in the shadow of the rooftops above. Drop down here and the mood changes instantly: narrow lanes, low old houses, a slightly hidden, lived-in feel, and the constant company of the green-glacial river. It is minutes from the main landmarks but feels like a different city—more local, more residential, more “found” than “visited.”

That difference is rooted in history. For centuries the Matte was Bern’s working riverside: its artisans’ and boatmen’s quarter, where the Aare was the highway and the people who lived here—boatmen, raftsmen, tanners, millers and craftspeople—kept the city supplied. Out of that close-knit, somewhat looked-down-upon community grew its own slang, the famous “Matteänglisch,” and a strong neighborhood identity that survives today. This guide focuses on what makes the Matte worth the detour and how to connect it naturally to the classic Old Town route.

What defines the Matte

The Matte’s whole character comes from the river. As Bern grew up on the Aare peninsula, the settlement at water level developed into its own quarter, first documented in the early 14th century around the Untertorbrücke—for a long time the city’s only Aare crossing. Because the river was the main route for people, livestock and goods, the Matte became a busy, hard-working hub, with mills harnessing the current and a landing stage for river commerce. It was never the genteel part of town, and that working-class grit is exactly why it feels so different from the streets above.

Its most charming legacy is linguistic. The tight community here developed a secret slang—“Matteänglisch” (Matten-Berndeutsch), a playful mix of Bernese German with borrowings from other tongues—originally used so outsiders couldn’t follow. A handful of locals still speak it, and you’ll spot its traces in the neighborhood’s identity and on the occasional sign. Pair that with the river, the low houses and the quiet lanes, and the Matte reads as a small world unto itself.

What to see and do

The Matte is small, so the joy is in wandering—but these are the moments worth seeking out.

• The riverside lanes and bridges: Walk the strip between the Untertorbrücke and the Nydeggbrücke, where the water, the old houses and the bridges combine into one of Bern’s most atmospheric short walks. Look back and up: the Old Town rooftops rise dramatically above the river bend.
• The Mattelift (Senkeltram): Opened in 1897, this little funicular-style lift connects the Münster platform high in the Old Town with the Matte down on the Aare—a quirky, useful way to drop straight from the cathedral terrace to the riverside (and a small piece of Bernese transport history in its own right).
• The Untertorbrücke: Bern’s oldest stone bridge over the Aare and, for centuries, the only crossing here—the very reason the Matte existed. It’s a quietly significant landmark most visitors walk past without noticing.
• The view back to the Old Town: From the Matte and the bridges, the layered rooftops, the cathedral spire and the river make a classic Bern composition—especially in soft late-afternoon light.

The Aare, safely

In summer, the Matte is part of Bern’s river-swimming culture: locals float the turquoise Aare past the Old Town, and the quarter sits right on that route. It is wonderful to watch—but the current is genuinely strong and routinely underestimated, there are no lifeguards, and you must be a confident, experienced swimmer who knows to climb out at the marked exits before the weir. Check live conditions before you even think about getting in. We cover this properly in our Aare swimming safety guide and our overview of the River Aare.

A note worth knowing as you stand here: the Matte’s low position has meant centuries of flooding, with serious events in living memory. The city has invested heavily in flood protection along this stretch, which is part of why some riverfront corners look freshly reinforced. It’s a reminder that the river is both the Matte’s charm and its oldest challenge.

A perfect Matte add-on route

The Matte works best as a riverside chapter within a wider Old Town loop rather than a destination in its own right. The easiest plan is to come down from the cathedral end of the Old Town, follow the water, and rise back up toward the bears and the viewpoint.

• Start with the Old Town walking tour.
• Drop down to the river—via the lanes near Nydegg or the Mattelift—and wander the Matte for 45–90 minutes.
• Cross at the Nydeggbrücke and continue to Bear Park, then finish at Rosengarten.
• Return for dinner via Old Town restaurants and their medieval cellars.

In winter the Matte becomes a quiet photography walk with a warm café finish back up top; in summer it’s a lively slice of river life. Either way, use it as a neighborhood add-on to a two-day Bern trip.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Matte district?

The Matte (Mattequartier) is the historic riverside neighborhood of Bern’s Old City, a strip along the Aare between the Untertorbrücke and the Nydeggbrücke. It was the city’s working boatmen’s and artisans’ quarter and still feels quieter, lower and more local than the streets above.

How do I get down to the Matte?

Walk down through the lanes near Nydegg at the eastern end of the Old Town, or take the Mattelift (open since 1897), which connects the Münster platform up top directly with the Matte on the river. You can also simply cross the Untertorbrücke or Nydeggbrücke.

What is Matteänglisch?

It’s the Matte’s own slang—Matten-Berndeutsch—a playful, partly secret mix of Bernese German with words borrowed from other languages, developed by the close-knit riverside community. A few locals still speak it, and it’s a beloved part of the neighborhood’s identity.

Can I swim in the Aare from the Matte?

The Matte is on the famous summer Aare-swimming route, but it is only for confident, experienced swimmers: the current is strong, there are no lifeguards, and you must exit at the marked points before the weir. Read our Aare safety guide first and check live conditions.

How long should I spend in the Matte?

About 45–90 minutes is ideal. It’s a small quarter best enjoyed as a slow riverside chapter between landmark stops—typically paired with the Old Town, Bear Park and the Rosengarten viewpoint.

More neighborhood ideas

Next readBear ParkJust across the Nydeggbrücke—pair it with the Matte.All neighborhoodsThe city-wide overview.2-day itineraryWhere the Matte fits naturally.