[2] The Grand Council of the Canton of Bern meets in the town hall five times per year for about two weeks per session.

The Executive Council of the Canton of Bern meets in the town hall generally weekly.

Known as the Burger Hus and the domus dicta die helle it was probably replaced by the new town hall around 1355.

This new town hall was intended to match the growing power of the city and be large and impressive enough to receive foreign visitors.

[5] The current building was begun in 1406–07 by Heinrich von Gengenbach on the site of a townhouse owned by the Burgistein family.

Between 1430 and 1450 the grand external staircase was built and two chambers for the great and small councils were added to the upper story.

A staircase tower and gallery wing were added on the east side in 1664–66 by Abraham and David Edelstein.

The south facade is symmetric around the large open air staircase and main entrance loggia into the upper story.

The 20th century renovation removed much of the roof over the staircase, leaving only the center section with its double pointed arch vault which was restored to its medieval appearance.

The iron gates in the portals below the stairs are original treasure chamber doors by Michel Müller.

The wing connecting the Staatskanzlei building and the town hall was built in 1664–66 by David and Abraham Edelstein.

The columns are topped with large sandstone capitals which in turn support a total of 29 oak beams forming the foundation of the council chambers above.