
The Federal Palace in Bern is the seat of Switzerland's governing bodies - the Federal Assembly (parliament) and the Federal Council (government). The palace has been expanded many times, its present form was obtained at the beginning of the 20th century under the direction of the architect Hans Wilhelm Auer. The building is a symmetrical architectural complex of three main offices with a total length of slightly over 300 meters. The palace has been added to Switzerland's important historical buildings of cultural and national significance.