The lower side of the buttresses are decorated with egg-shaped cut outs, with vesica piscis and spandrel designs.

The pillar bases, capitals, windows and sculptures are all from the highest quality, blue sandstone from the Gurten quarry, south of Bern.

[5] The central portal is decorated with a series of statues that represent the Last Judgment in Christian theology.

To the north and south, it is supported by buttresses that rise above the northern and southern main portals.

[8] The first church on this site probably was a small chapel (Leutkirche) built during the founding of Bern (1191).

The 1356 Basel earthquake caused extensive damage to the church walls, arches, and tower.

To celebrate their growing power and wealth, plans were made to build a new and larger church.

[10] During the 1440s the unvaulted choir was used for services after a simple roof was built and stained glass windows were installed.

Under his direction the nave walls were raised and the tower was built to the lower octagon.

Following Küng's death in 1506, Peter Pfister [de] led the construction and finished the vaulting in the choir.

In the latter part of Wyttenbach's stay in Bern, a local priest, Berchtold Haller, lived with him.

Around the time that Wyttenbach left Bern in 1520 to become a Reformer of his birthplace, Biel, Haller was elected a canon of the cathedral.

Due to the rising reformist sentiment, in June 1523, the city council ordered that the words of the Bible should be preached.

In 1527 the Reformed party gained the control of the great council, and it ordered that the new faith should be preached.

On 27 January 1528, the council ordered that throughout the city, all masses should be stopped and all icons should be cast out.

This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the right, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the left.

[13] The Last Judgement was the work of one sculptor, Erhard Küng from Stadtlohn, Westphalia, which gives the collection a unity of design.

The outer row is Jesus, Mary and the Apostles, including John the Baptist and Paul, but not Judas Iscariot.

The central nave was built in a lacy gothic style with enormous stained glass windows and numerous altars in side chapels.

The Gothic style allowed a taller central nave and larger windows than had been possible before, creating an impressive and (for the time) light and airy structure.

Many altars were financed by local families, creating a wealth of art and sculpture in the cathedral.

The Three Kings window was built between 1447 and 1455 for Rudolf von Ringoltingen, possibly in Constance or the Oberrhein region.

The Ten thousand martyrs window was originally supposed to be of the Resurrection of Jesus, but that was changed after 1447.

The theme of the original window is unknown but it was built in 1449–1451 for Kaspar von Scharnachtal, probably by Niklaus Magerfritz in Bern.

The window shows death, in the form of a skeleton, claiming people from every station in life.

On 5 December 1522, Jacob Ruess and Heini Seewagen from Schaffhausen were hired to complete the work on the stalls.

On 1 June 1752, they signed a contract with Johann August Nahl to do the exterior decoration on the new organ.

It is possible to stand near the bells when they are rung, but it is necessary to cover one's ears to prevent hearing damage.

The Minster Terrace (in German: Münsterplattform) was built during 1334 and the mid 15th century as a large churchyard.

Lime and chestnut trees were planted and pathways were laid out, providing a pleasant park in the old city.