Bern, is an emblematic and historic symbol of Switzerland,a stunning medieval City on a wonderful scenic river,the Aar which crosses along its course that captivating and charming centre with a relevant historic patrimony highlighted by a multitude of beautiful monuments and attractions.
Its cobbled alleys and splendid stoned buildings,picturesque narrow streets and small squares,all together form a magnificent frame result of an ancient history,the scenery with the outstanding beauty and charm of the old Innere Stadt the Bern old centre was declared UNESCO World Heritage Site all that makes that Swiss centre of the most shining architectonic and historic jewels of the country.
That Swiss city immediately appears splendid and attractive standing on a natural peninsula bathed by that river which during its course form sinuous curves along a monumental nucleus of notable historic value and at first glance Bern shows a very quiet aspect,a place where the visitor can breathe in a a while a very relaxing atmosphere and apparently almost unchanged in its former appearance,also all that makea that centre simply fantastic.
Bern is not only the capital of the Swiss Confederation is also the emblematic and iconic spirit of the cultural and linguistic unity,a successful attempt to reconcile the differences for the common causes of the Confederation and its Cantons.The famed motto of Switzerland is one for all and all for one and that is also written on the dome of the Federal Parliament.
That centre is mostly German-speaking and it is one of the most important economic centres of the entire country despite is not a huge European Capital,it has the air of an important city.
With its approximately 135,000 inhabitants,Bern in its limited size is a marvellous mixture of everything: nature,a superb architecture,vitality,quality of life,excellent restaurants,elegant shops and a rich cultural patrimony including with a notable calendar rich of events.
The medieval centre is definitely one of the main attractions of Bern and it is not a casr that famed Institution called UNESCO awarded that masterpiece as World Heritage site,a title which was given in the year 1983.
The old town conserves buildings dated from different periods and a series of beautiful arcades dated the 15th and 16th century which gave it a very special charm.Most of the medieval core was restored in the 18th century but despite that the Swiss city has retained its original character in all its splendour.
The relevant history of Bern started over eight centuries ago when the Duke Berthold Von Zahringen chose that place to found a former settlement, for its strategic position and according to a popular episode because it is there where that noble man killed with a shot a big bear which is today the symbol of the city.
Founded in the 12th century,it developed on the top of a hill,its urban growth over the centuries was adjusted to a conception of a clever planning exceptionally consistent,using strategic spaces to build its most important monuments and saving the several green areas all around that stunning monumental medieval centre which is still intact and so fascinating.
In the year 1218 the death of the Duke Von Zahringen broke the dynastic succession of that noble House and the land was subdivided under rule of different aristocratic families.
Part of the Holy Roman Empire and later titled as free imperial city,it was subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the Emperor,who at that time was Frederick II of Hohenstaufen well known as successor of Frederick I Barbarossa.
Under the protectorate of the Count Peter II of Savoy between the years 1255 and 1265,the city had an intense expansion and development and in the year 1291, after the death of the Hapsburg Emperor was formed the first alliance which established a first former nucleus which gave origin to the future Swiss Confederation.
The current city joined that Federation after the victory of Laupen,in the year 1339 and during the 14th and 15th centuries it occupied the centre of a powerful State playing an important role,ruling over a vast territory.
The famous Swiss Reformation since the the 16th century,exactly in the year 1528 gave that centre a period of prosperity and importance in terms of development and trade until the year 1798 when the city was occupied by French troops during that period related to the famous French Revolution in which it was deprived of part of its territories.
It picked up the lost lands of the Bernese Oberland in the year 1802 and by the Congress of Vienna some years later,concretely in in the year 1814 it acquired the territory of the Bernese Jura,once again,becoming the largest Canton of the land and furthermore,since 1848 Bern was also the most influential centre becoming soon the Capital of the current Switzerland.
The first thing the visitor notices in a visit,admiring its roads,houses,buildings,shopping areas,it is that all is very close,in addition to that relevant feature which permits very fast movements from an attraction to another another main higlight is the almost total perfection about its urban asset,the distance between a building and another seems precisely calculated,the shops under the arcades are totally arranged along a perfect line and the colours of the historic constructions are all in perfect harmony with the oldest monuments which are fantastically well preserved.
That beautiful medieval centre is unparallelled on a peninsula along the wide bend of the Aar river,which comes from the Alps to the Rhine river in the middle and the city is just like a traffic island,the course of that waterway inside the boundaries of the city is very scenic you will notice from the main bridges in the historic centre wonderful panoramic views and it is also next to that course of waters where stands the imposing and majestic Bundeshaus, the palace of the Federal Swiss Parliament.
A great start point to start to know the city is from the beautiful square Munsterplatz,where lies the outstanding Gothic Cathedral,the Berner Münster erected in the year 1421, but completed more than four centuries later in the year 1893.
That majestic Religious building is dedicated to Saint Vincent of Saragossa,the famous Saint from the Spanish city of Aragón and the place of the construction was chosen on the rests a former Church called Leutkirche,(Church of the people) dated approximately from the time of the foundation of the former city where in that in the year 1276 was erected that former Romanesque building.
The current Cathedral was developed in direction of the clockwise and a very peculiar episode is that the construction started by the State of Bern and economically supported by the Teutonic Order and not by the Church with funding provided by wealthy local families and the the first emblematic figure about all those operations was Mathias Ensinger of Swabia.
The Cathedral architectonic plan took inspiration in part from the magnificent German Cathedral of Ulmand also by the Cathedral of Our Lady of Freiburg.Ensinger offered a twist with the external base of the tower with three arched portals richly decorated instead of one.
In the 15th century,between the years 1460 and 1480, the stone carver Erhart Küng developed the magnificent portal and he made several other decorations.In the year 1521,there was the construction of the tower which was interrupted at about 60 m above the ground due to a weakness in the foundations.
The several political and economic events impeded and blocked further works and the tower was completed in the year 1893 with a second half section in a Neo-Gothic style reaching a final height of 100 metres.
The result is simply outstanding you will notice in the architectonic shape of that imposinf construction despite the centuries of difference there is not a visible contrast which ruin the architectonic aesthetic and all seems to be perfect,also for that it is considered a notable artistic masterpiece.
Definitely for many reasons the Cathedral is the most historical and significant building of that Swiss city,the facade is richly decorated with statues of an immense veauty while the main portal of the west front is an exceptional achievement of sculptures dated the late 15th century and the early 16th century representing the Last Judgement with 294 characters all the set is simply stunning in execution,colours and material used for such magnificent work.
The interior presents a series of marvellous vaulted ceiling dating back the 16th century,splendid aisles flanked by majestic arcades and small chapels and very attractive is the great central nave and a beautiful pulpit.
Furthermore that majestic Religious building has beautiful stained glass windows in its the choir, absolutely remarkable dated the 15th century,an unique treasure of medieval art in the entire Switzerland and others younger but equally beautiful dating back 19th century.The Renaissance choir stalls,a baptismal font and the Baroque organ are others of the main highlights of that fantastic architectonic masterpiece.
A magnificent experience is to climb the 254 steps leading on the top of that imposing Religious building admiring the spires of the Cathedral, the tallest in Switzerland and from there you can admire beautiful views of the entire city and a superb scenery composed by the wonderful views of the Alps.
Bubenberg Platz is a magnificent square,considered the hub of the city,a beautiful place surrounded by buildings mainly dated the 18th century among them the Civil Hospital and Heiliggeistkirche the charming Church of the Holy Spirit,erected in the same period, in Baroque style.
Continuing the visit,you can see another large square called Bundesplatz a captivating square in which regularly takes place a famous and colourful flower market celebrated every year with several stalls packed by different kinds of flowers but especially geraniums,which are usually used for Bern balconies.
In the immediate proximity, there is Theaterplatz,another very attractive square with the presence of the beautiful building Hotel de Musique,a captivating construction dated the 18th century.Also that place is one of the most lively points for its position situated in the heart of the city and also considered a famous meeting point for tourists and locals.
The Swiss Parliament,well known as Bundeshaus is an imposing construction which is undoubedtly another superb attraction of Bern.The Federal Palace is both the seat of the Federal Council of the Government, the Federal Assembly,the Parliament,the National Council and the Council of States.After the founding of the state in the year 1848,the Federal Council and parliament used various buildings of the city.
The Government House is currently located on the west wing which was built in the year 1852 and inaugurated on 05th June 1857.It includes two halls,one corresponding to the National Council,the other for the Council of States,as well as meeting hall for the government.In addition there are 96 offices of the government also housing the Chancellor of the Confederation.Today,the Federal Council holds its meetings in weekly sessions in a hall at the first floor overlooking the river Aar.
Designed by architect Hans Wilhelm Auer, the present palace was inaugurated on 1st April 1902 after eight years of work with an investment of more than 7 million of francs to build a building of 3742 square meters.
It is inserted between the former Government House,the oldest of three buildings forming the current complex and the wing was developed between the years 1888 and 1892 in a harmonious construction of a line of buildings which it is the most remarkable achievement in architecture of that period in the city.
The halls of the National Council and Council of States were restored in the years 1993 and 2001 respectively and furthermore after three years of work,with costs of over 103 million of Swiss francs amd after that the new Parliament Building was officially opened on 21st November 2008.
The Lower House consists of 46 members and the building stands out in particular for the large dome internally decorated with glass mosaics and where is inscribed that famous and emblematic motto of the nation "Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno" One for all and all for one.
In a charming street called Junkerngasse you can see the typical Swiss houses with porches and balconies packed of flowers and Erlacherhof is one of the best examples,a very captivating building of an elaborate architecture,current home of the President of the Swiss Confederation.
That building between the years 1848 and 1858 hosted the Federal Parliament,it is a beautiful construction seems to be the largest in the city.Very interesting is the Ceremonial Hall and the ancient gate called Bubenbergtor dating back the 12th century and in the same street is also located the splendid fountain Junkergassbrunnen,a very scenic monument depicting a Lion.
With its approximately 6,0 kilometres of arcades, Bern offers some of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe and in the World,under them there is a wide variety of shops selling the most trendy brands of jewelry,fashion accessories,watches,food,delicatessen and including art galleries.
In the street Postgasse is situated the Berner Rathaus,the Town Hall,a magnificent Gothic masterpiece dated the 15th century.Highlights of that stupendous palace are the beautiful entrance with double staircase and charming arcades with a passage which directly leads to the hall of the Council.The Rathaus is very close to Markt Strasse and close to the river Aar in a strategic position inside the historic medieval centre of the Capital from where you can reach all the main monuments.
Kramgasse is absolutely the street symbol of the old town,it was also the ancient place celebrating the social life and major events of the past and it is today a meeting point for many young people and shoppers. That enchanting street surrounded by magnificent buildings mainly erected in Baroque style it is intersected by narrow streets full of character with a historic value and relevance for all that it is part of National Heritage as a site of Historic National Importance,as well as UNESCO Heritage site.
At the beginning of Kramgasse there is another symbol of the city, Zeitglockenturm the famous clock tower,one of the main attractions in the city.The Zeitglockenturm with its famous glockenspiel,,the carillon of Bern,better known by the name of Zytglogge is dated the 12th century and restored in the 16th century.
Zytglogge is an astronomical clock with a gilded jacquemart and a chime.The hand indicates the position of the sun left for the east,south top,right to the west while a gold and black ball shows the phases of the moon and a rotary dial indicates the Zodiac signs.On the right side of the dial there is the chime which starts every hour,4 minutes before full time.
The number of strokes indicates the next hour,while a round of seven bear starts to turn,set the day of the week.The first bear riding a horse symbolises Sunday, it is followed bears by 6 from Monday to Saturday each representing a different trade.Note that the fourth bear,when fate turns his head and it stands on Wednesday, turning of the week.
When the time comes full, a little man sitting on a chair begins to count the strokes by moving his bearded chin as he shakes from left to right a golden sceptre.A golden lion on his left shakes its head for each shot showing time.Meanwhile at the top of the tower,the gilded man the jacquemart strikes the great bell once for each hour.
All that is initiated by the crowing of a mechanical rooster stirring its wings,it will also sing in the middle and at the end of that representation.That is recognised by the astronomical clock on the facade to the east and its air a little blunt and simple yet important focal point of the city,pedestrians and public transport.That clock was used by Albert Einstein to take some details and developing his famous theory of relativity.
At the end of Kramgasse at the number 49 you can visit the house of Albert Einstein.It is there where the famous scientist worked on his Theory of Relativity,while he was employed at the patent office of Bern.
His theory,considered more of a common good available to man was apparently just inspiration while he was travelling in a city tram in the opposite direction of the Clock Tower,along Kramgasse.The genius as you know is famous for his famed phrase "I have no special talents,I am only passionately curious."
From 1903 to 1905 Albert Einstein moved to Bern with his young wife, Mileva,who was one of the first women scientists in Europe and his son Hans Albert.The house displays the life of the great German-Jewish physicist and Nobel Prize and today you can visit that small apartment transformed in a museum which is one of the most visited in the city.
Along Kramgasse there are several Renaissance fountains in figurative style and very distinctive as the best known Zähringerbrunnen, built in memory of Berthold, the founder of Bern which combines the historic and heraldic symbol of the city.The fountain was built by Hans Hiltprand in the year 1535 and it depicts a bear with an armour of the house of Zähringen.
Krammgassbrunnen is another one worth a mention dating back the year 1778 and Simsonbrunnen erected in 1527 are two other iconic fountains depicting Samson.The fountains are a total of 11 and it is recommended to see others in particular Kindlifresserbrunnen erected in 1544 peculiar for the image portraying an ogre who eats children and the Pfeiferbrunnen built in 1545 depicting a musician with a bagpipe.
Walking under the arches along that charming street you will realise that the road at an intersection changes its name in Gerechtigkeitsgasse which turns in proximity of the river Aat where is situated another outstanding higlights of Bern : Nydeggbrücke.It is magnificent bridge which according to a legend is the place where the city's founder, Duke Berhtold Von Zähringen, named the city after the famous meeting with a big bear where the bridge stands today.
That bridge is the most famous of the three spanning the Aar and it connects the centre with the new city districts all them offer a superb image and views of Bern and that stunning waters course in all its scenic beauty.
Very close you can admire another of the most popular tourist attractions,the Bärengraben the Bear Pit and that is the concrete place where Von Zahringen recalling the legend he would have met there a big bear.
Located on the banks of the Aar river,east of the old city,the pit was originally opened in the year 1857 and enlarged in 1925 with the addition of a space reserved for cubs and then renovated in 1994 and 1996.It welcomes more bears since 2009, and it was created a Bear Park called Bärenpark.The visitor can feed those big animals which are housed in a stoned structure,approximately 55,0 metres wide.
Marktgasse is another beautiful street starting close to Nydeggbrucke and continuing west.That artery has a remarkable shelf life and the visitor can walk under porches with hundreds of shops of all kinds,such as watches,jewelry, books,bakeries,chocolate shops and toys.
In its proximity you can visit is the splendid Rosergarten,the Rose garden, appreciated for its scenic position on the oldest part of the city.Located east to the centre,it is particularly visited for its 225 types rose bloom and 30 different species of Rhododendron,a very attractive place showing another magnificent corner of the Capital.
Within that area the visitors can find a restaurant,a library and a large park,with the splendid Botanical Garden which presents two acres of crops and plants with the beautiful Elfenau,a magnificent 18th century farmhouse.
Käfigturm is of course another of the most notorious attractions.It is a medieval tower, the second for importance of of Bern and it was the former second western city gate.Erected between the years 1256 and 1344,it served as a prison since 1641 and continued to be that until the year 1897.
The clock was added in the year 1961 and from 1977 to 1979,the interior and exterior were completely restored.Since 1999 that construction started to be used as headquarters of the Political Forum of the Confederation and in addition housing exhibitions and events related to political issues.
The city offers a wide range of museums.The Museum of Fine Arts the famed Bern Kunstmuseum is situated in Hodlerstrasse 12.It is the oldest art museum in Switzerland,well known for its collection displaying masterpieces of famed artists such as Picasso,Monet, Manet, Sisley, Cezanne and Fra Angelico among others.
Definitely a very rich exhibition covering a period of 8 centuries of art and of particular interest is also the section focused to the contemporary artistic movements with relevant works by Kandinsky, Modigliani, Matisse, Soutine and Kirchner.
Another area is dedicated to the Art Brut,that style also known as "non artistic",with works by non-professional people, or even self-taught prisoners and psychotic.Wölfli is one of them,a man who lived almost his entire adult life in a psychiatric hospital,where he suddenly began to draw and to live for art.
He was a labourer of the surroundings of Bern in the early 20th century and he produced a great work of 25,000 pages of illustrated narrative, during his stay in the asylum of Waldau in a sort of half-fictional autobiography.
When Wölfli died in the year 1930, his works were exhibited at the Museum of Waldau Clinic and it was created a foundation bearing his name to preserve those works and today that collection is displayed at the Museum of Fine Arts.
In recent times Wölfli works have inspired several artists among them also the famous Danish composer Norgård who discovered many interesting aspects of life and deep concepts.The exhibition furthermore houses over 3,000 items including paintings and sculptures and it is of course something you can not miss if you are fond about art.
Bernisches Historic Museum and the Natural History Museum are located in Bernastrasse 15 and they are two other galleries of relevant importance,the second features a wide exposition with more than 200 birds and mammals, local and beyond in their natural environments and also the famous dog "Barry" has a a special section in that exhibition.
Apart Einstein Haus Bern honoured the great scientist with a beautiful museum,the Einsten Historical Museum located in Helvetiaplatz at the civic number 5.That place is the second largest museum of the history of Switzerland and it is home of important collections ranging from prehistory to the present,including an interesting ethnographic section.Obviously a space is devoted to the scientist with books, journals and documents of one of the immigrants most famous who lived in Switzerland.
Switzerland is a country surrounded by Alps and naturally in the Swiss Capital can not miss an exhibition honouring those magnificent mountains and Schweizerisches Alpine Museum also situated in Helvetia Platz is a great place totally dedicated to nature and culture of the Swiss Alps.Founded in the year 1905,it displays the history of cartography and it offers an interesting area even interactive maps with in total 20,000 objects, 160,000 pictures, 650 paintings and 190 prints of various artists.
Zentrum Paul Klee (the Centre Paul Klee) housed in a modern building is another site which is a must if you are an art lover.That exhibition is dedicated to the famous Swiss-German artist who lived in the country and it consists of three glass structures,which seem to sway in three fluids steel roof,designed by the famous Italian architect Renzo Piano.
That building,looking a bit unusual and it is located about 5,0 kilometres from the city centre.Inaugurated in the year 2005 in a short time time became one of the most interesting cultural Institutions reaching fame and prestige in the country and abroad.
A space in its northern side is devoted to the artist as musician and professor and the section called Kreativ is a section dedicated to the children's museum while the southern area is focused to mathematical studies. The building also houses a centre of research and the central section is occupied by a gallery which houses the largest collection of Klee's art in the world.
The visitor can admire in that extensive exhibition over 4000 works of one of the greatest artists of the 20th century and also other notable works by exponents of abstract art and masterpieces by master painters such as Vasily Kandinsky,Franz Marc and Alexej Von Jawlensky.In addition to all that the centre also provides a wide space for concerts,a cafe a shop and a restaurant.
The Gürten is the hill of Bern,located in the district of Wabern.It is undoubedtly a fantastic view point to admire the Jura mountains at west, the Bernese Alps at the south-east and naturally the entire city.Locals often choose that place to spend relaxing times in the cafes and restaurants present in its proximity or also enjoying in spring and summer traditional picnics.
You can reach that hill in a few minute by the red cable car Warbern direction and it is pretty suggested apart for its wonderful and stunning views also fot the magnifcent natural environment.
The local Nightlife is pretty vibrant in particular in the old city with its several bars around the Zytglogge.The visitor can chose several places for a drink,the local cellars have centuries of history with the famous Kornhauskeller the old grain warehouse and Klötzlikeller are places very lively in weekends.
The number of clubs,cabarets and nightclubs in general is still quite varied,the beauty of the nightlife in Bern is its convenience,many bars and clubs are located within a very short distance and all can be reached walking or using the urban transports which are very efficient and fast,so the visitor can move from a place to another in a very easy way.
.A very trendy neighbourhood is Matte with some the most popular places of the city.The Kafé Cairo with its retro-funky atmosphere offers several live music shows and Kornhaus Cafe & Bar is a stylish place offering several excellent cocktails.
Another one is Cuba Bar a lively place for lovers of Salsa music and Latin-American dances,Marians Jazz room located at the Hotel Innere Enge is a good place for Jazz music lovers and Lorenzini and Du Theatre is a trendy local in Italian style,with restaurant and lounge bar reminiscent the 70s,while the Grand Casino Kursaal Bern at Hotel Allegro can be another alternative.
If you want to enjoy classical music and concerts of chamber music are often performed in the Auditorium of the Conservatoire for Music in Kramgasse 36.Bern Symphony Orchestra, founded in the year 1877 is the most famous musical institution in the city with an excellent international reputation,it can be appreciated at the Cathedral of Bern.
The Swiss Capital hosts several important events.Zibelemärit is celebrated in November on Bern's streets it offers of a very lively atmosphere while the Gurtenfestival takes place every summer in July with many music performances by famous artists.
Berner Jazz Festival is a must if you are fond about that kind of Music.That notable Jazz event attracts visitors from all Switzerland and abroad who come to enjoy a relevant parade of talented artists delighting the most demanded fans, meanwhile it is regarded as one of the more traditional Jazz Festivals and it is celebrated from March to May.
Berner Tanztage is another important appointment in the month of June dedicated to performances of artists,workshops,cultural meetings and dance while Buskers Bern Strassenfestival is the Cabaret Festival and the shows are celebrated in the forefront of Buskers Bern.
The city is packed by excellent restaurants,cafes and bistros and you will not have problems to find something to satisfy your tastes.The areas corresponding to Bärenplatz,Spitalgasse and Marktglasse,in the old town are among the best places where you can find more and with a great choice.
Cuisine in the city is a meeting of Swiss-German and Swiss -French gastronomy and the most traditional specialities tend to be heavily focused on meat and potatoes.The Bernerplatte is one of the most traditional plate consisting in a diverse set of cuts and meat,usually beef tongue,pork and sauerkraut,served with beans and potatoes.
The Rasterrtopf is another famous speciality,it is veal meat cooked with white wine and sage.Often in a restaurant which has an ample menu also in Bern you can taste the typical loaf Bürli and also the famous Swiss Fondue which is another of the culinary highlights although it is served mainly during the colder months of the year.
The Pastetfli is a sort of pie filled with meat, mushrooms and cream sauce usually served with rice and peas and the traditional Sauerkraut is also served in soup with cabbage or potatoes or meat,as well as the hash brown potatoes,consisting of grated potatoes and served with eggs,ham or cheese.Among the desserts you can taste the Honigläbchueche, made by honey and gingerbread and naturally a trip to Bern is not complete without tasting the delicious Swiss chocolate.
The local Airport is reduced in size and traffic compared to others in the county first and foremost,Geneva and Zurich airports.Currently,Bern airport offers connections to some important cities such as Paris,Rome, Rome,London,Berlin,Madrid, Munich,Milan, Majorca and Manchester.The airport is located a few kilometres from the centre and it is connected by shuttle service by the line 334.
Bern is a city which retains its historic charm and stunning medieval aspect and also a place with a fascinating soul,its monuments,Churches and streets are the keys to discover and enjoy metre by metre one of the most attractive and beautiful cities of Switzerland, the scenic and the wonderful River Aar is part of a fascinating frame which conquers the tourist at first sight.
The Swiss capital in its unique beauty is something you will totally appreciate,remembering it as a splendid and unforgettable place to re visit with immense pleasure.
Francesco Mari
Recommended Hotels in Bern
Hotel Bellevue Palace
Hotel Inner Enge
Hotel Allegro Bern
Hotel Schweizerhof
Hotel Holidays Inn Bern
Hotel Alpenblick
Recommended Restaurants in Bern
Restaurant Spitz
Restaurant Eiseblume Worb
Restaurant Kornhauskeller
Restaurant Riggenberg
www.bern.ch
www.bellevue-palace.ch
www.innere-enge.ch
www.kursaal-bern
www.schweizerhof-bern.ch
www.bern-incoming.ch
www.museen-bern.ch
www.berne.world-guides.com
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