Already in his initial drafts Renzo Piano and his team – the Renzo Piano Building Workshop (RPBW) – sought to position the Zentrum Paul Klee in a broader urbanistic and topographical context. They did so by establishing conceptual links between the old city centre of Bern, the Zentrum Paul Klee at Schöngrün and the Ostermundigen Hill, even though they were unaware at the time that the stone quarries at Ostermundigen played a significant role in the life of Paul Klee. (Picture 1)

The idea
The City of Bern’s information and guidance system includes a special Theme Path leading from the city centre to the Zentrum Paul Klee, acquainting pedestrians with aspects of the life and work of Paul Klee.

At the initiative of the Ostermundigen Local Authority the Theme Path is was extended from the Zentrum Paul Klee to the stone quarries on the Ostermundigen Hill. This is in conformity with the architects’ initial drafts, and also because the stone quarries were of great significance not only for the Ostermundigen community but also for Paul Klee’s artistic development.

Milestones along the Theme Path
The theme-based milestones along the path relate to aspects of Paul Klee’s biography and artistic development, with reproductions of his works, historical photographs and quotations. They also refer to connections with today’s urban space, for instance to places which conjure up associations with some of Paul Klee’s works.

The Theme Path aims to feature Bern as the city where Paul Klee once lived, the city that was once a source of inspiration for him. Bern’s wealth of architectural and agricultural shapes is reflected in Klee’s artistic engagement with his time.

The Theme Path
The path’s route goes from the main railway station through Bern’s picturesque city centre to the famous Bear Pit. From there it continues via Muristalden, where the view opens up onto the backdrop of the city centre’s southern perimeter, and then on to the Egelsee lake (picture 3). It is at the Egelsee that the Theme Path and the streets and paths around the Zentrum Paul Klee named after the works of Paul Klee meet up (Schritte für Klee / Steps for Klee). With the three waves of the Landscape Sculpture and, in fine weather, the panorama of the Alps in the distance, the Path leads on through open landscape to the Zentrum Paul Klee.

In the Ostermundigen municipality there are two paths leading to the stone quarries. The northern path begins at the Zentrum Paul Klee and crosses Schosshalden cemetery, where Paul Klee is buried, and the Schosshalden woods. It continues via Waldegg to the Ostermundigen railway station. Behind the village centre a historical path leads to the stone quarries. The southern path runs via Dennigkofen and Wittigkofen back to the Zentrum Paul Klee.

Some of the milestones along the Theme Path have been sited in such a way as to provide an ideal spot to stop, rest and take in the view.

Paths to Klee Working Group
The Project is sponsored by the Paths to Klee Working Group. It consists of representatives of the City of Bern authorities and the Ostermundigen Local Authority as well as representatives of the Zentrum Paul Klee and the building commission of the Zentrum Paul Klee an.

The sponsors’ contact address is the Maurice E. and Martha Müller Foundation (MMMF):

Zentrum Paul Klee
Maurice E. and Martha Müller Foundation (MMMF)
Monument im Fruchtland 3, Postfach
3000 Bern 31, Switzerland

Phone: + 41 (0)31 359 01 08
e-mail: mmmfzpk.org