Bern (Switzerland) – the most detailed information about the city with photos. The main attractions of Bern with descriptions, guidebooks and cards.
Contents
City of Bern (Switzerland)
Bern – the capital of Switzerland and the center of the same German canton. Located in the central part of the country on the hills in the picturesque valley of the river Aare. Bern’s Old Town has preserved a unique historic atmosphere and included in the World Heritage List UNESCO. The medieval core of the city is charming narrow streets, old sandstone houses, beautiful fountains, historical towers and ancient churches. Also, Bern is known for its arcades, boutiques, bars and restaurants.
The government of Switzerland (Bundeshaus) meets in Bern. On Old town squares are held weekly markets.
- Geography and climate
- Practical information
- Story
- How to get there
- sights
- Video
- Maps and guides
- Comments and reviews
Geography and climate
Bern is located in the southern part of the Swiss plateau in the valley of the river Aare north of the Alps. The old town is built on a high hill. Climate – moderate continental. Summer is warm and rather rainy. Winter cool with slight frosts and frequent thaws.
Winter in Bern
Practical information
- The population is more than 130 thousand people.
- Area – 51.6 km².
- The language is German.
- Currency – Swiss franc.
- Time – Central European UTC +1, in summer +2.
- Visa – Schengen.
- Onion market (Zibelemärit) passes every fourth monday november
- In summer, you can swim in Aare. The best places for swimming located between Kornhausbridge and Lorraine, as well as Eichholz and Marzili.
- The famous Bernese arcades (Lauben) include numerous the shops. Traditional products can be bought in charming shops in the area Rathausgasse.
- The mode of operation of shops in Switzerland is strictly regulated. Almost all of them are closed on Sundays. Monday through Friday Shops are closed from 19.00 to 19.30. On thursday some of them work until 21.00.
- Food in Bern is quite expensive. Find an inexpensive restaurant with Traditional Swiss cuisine is a very difficult task. Most locals prefer cheaper Italian and Asian the kitchen.
- Bern is a fairly safe city. It should be treated with caution only to drunk companies.
- Bern has an excellent public transport system presented by trams, trolley buses and buses.
- The capital of Switzerland hosts a jazz festival, which considered one of the most important jazz events in the world.
Story
Bern was founded in 1191 by the duke of Burgundy Bertold V. Due to its favorable position, the new city began to develop rapidly and grow. After the death of Berthold, Bern became part of the Holy Roman Empire and received the status of an imperial city.
There are several versions of the origin of the name of the city. First version – Berthold V decided to name the city after the first beast killed in the surrounding forests while hunting. This beast is not difficult guess there was a bear. The second version – the name of the city is the changed name of Italian Verona, since the local the nobility had family ties with the Veronese nobility. Third version – the name of the city comes from the Celtic bren (“mountain”).
Winter in Bern
Bern became part of the Swiss Union in 1353 and became one of eight cantons. In this capacity, he was until 1481. After a major fire in 1405, wooden houses gradually were replaced with half-timbered houses, and then buildings of sandstone, which now prevail in the old town.
Interestingly, in the middle of the 13th century, the Bernese monks faked a document that on behalf of Emperor Frederick II endowed the city broad autonomous rights. This charter was later presented. Rudolf II and he recognized her as valid.
Old panorama cities
In 1798, Bern was occupied by French for some time. by the troops. During this period, the canton lost part of their territories. Bern became the capital of Switzerland in 1848, when the city was declared the seat of the federal assembly (parliament).
How to get there
Bern has a small international airport that connects the capital of Switzerland with Munich, London, Barcelona, Paris. B 75 minutes away is the largest Swiss air port – Zurich Airport.
Bern is conveniently located at the intersection of railway routes. and has regular communication with Zurich, Geneva, Basel. Easy to get to the capital of Switzerland and by bus. City It has access to the A1, A12 and A6 motorways.
Berne
sights
The main attraction of Bern is a stunning old a city that is located on a hill and is surrounded by emerald waters Aare. The historical center of the capital of Switzerland has kept a unique historic atmosphere and included in the list of World UNESCO heritage.
Old city
The old town has retained most of its medieval nature: narrow cobbled streets and old houses. Here the most famous monuments of Bern are located: old churches, bridges, fountains, historical towers.
Munster (on right)
Münster (Cathedral of St. Vincent) is a cathedral and one of The most famous historical buildings in Bern. Is the largest religious building of Switzerland of the late medieval period and built in gothic style. The cathedral began to be built in 1421. Interestingly, the tower was completed only in 1893. Features Münster: western portal with sculptures (copies), vaults with coats of arms 16th century, Gothic (1524) and a beautiful stained glass window (1441-50 years) in the apse, a monument to the founder of the city (1601) in the southern parts, baroque organ, beautiful chapels.
French church
The French Church is the oldest religious building in Bern with beautiful frescoes. The church was built in the 13th century on the foundation a much older structure that was part Dominican monastery. During the Reformation in its walls hiding French-speaking Protestants.
Clock tower
The Clock Tower (Zytglogge) is one of the symbols of Bern. Was built 800 years ago and has a height of 23 meters. Initially it there was a tower west gate. A huge astronomical clock was added in the year 1530.
Three minutes before the end of each hour you can see here. on a small show.
Arcade
The historic center of Bern is known for its arcades, which Now busy with shops and restaurants. Their total length is over 5 km. The residents themselves say that this is the biggest Indoor shopping center in Europe.
Prison tower
The prison tower – this historic tower was once part of city gate. The first structure was built in 1256 and at 15 century was used as a prison. The old tower was demolished and replaced by a new building in 1644.
Historical fountains
In the old city of Bern there are many ancient fountains. They were built in the late Middle Ages and replaced the old ones. wooden. The fountains are decorated with various sculptures from the biblical scenes and urban legends. Eleven of them have original statues.
In Bern, there are more than 100 fountains. At one time they played an important role in the water supply of the city. The water in the fountains is still suitable for drinking.
Parliament
Parliament is a historic building in the late Renaissance style, built in the 19th century. In its walls sits the Swiss Parliament. The building is located on the edge of a hill above the Aare river. To parliament adjacent Bundesplatz square, where every Tuesday and Saturday An impressive farmers’ market is taking place.
Town hall
Town Hall – a historic public building, built in the period from 1406 to 1416 years. Here sits the city council and parliament canton.
Historical Museum
Other sights and attractions in Bern:
- Paul Clay Center – an impressive permanent exhibition of work outstanding artist in the style of avant-garde. Showrooms located in unusual modern facilities.
- Historical Museum – one of the largest museums in Switzerland with exhibits from antiquity to modernity.
- The granary (Kornhaus) is one of the main examples of the Bernese Baroque architecture.
- Albert Einstein House – a building in which from 1903 to 1905 the years lived a great physicist. It is believed that here he began to develop theory of relativity.
- Botanical garden in the center of Bern. It has an area of 2 hectares and includes about 6000 plants from around the world.
- Bear Park – about 6000 square meters of territory along Aare River, which is home to a family of bears.
- The Rose Garden is a beautiful place with an amazing view of Bern.
- The Art Museum is the oldest art museum in Switzerland, which includes more than 50 thousand exhibits.
Video
Maps and guides
Map of Bern Tourist Map
