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Bern (Swiss Standard German: ⓘ, German:), or Berne (French: ⓘ), is the de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city". With a population of about 133,000 (as of 2022), Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zürich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne.
Discover Bern, the charming Swiss capital with medieval flair. Find attractions, events, excursions and tips for your visit in the region of Bern.
Discover Bern, the capital of Switzerland and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic old town, arcades, river and bears. Explore the museums, parks, markets and cultural venues of this charming city and its region.
- Bern Old Town
- Bern Fountains
- Cathedral of Bern
- Zytglogge Clock Tower
- Käfigturm
- Bear Pit
- Rosengarten
- Einstein Museum/ Bern Historical Museum
- Einstein House
- Swiss Parliament Building
One of the first places to see in Bern is its medieval Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is beautifully located, high on a cliff with the sparkling blue waters of the Aare River on three sides. But it’s the beautiful buildings, colorful flags, and traditional fountains that make it picture-perfect. You’ll find most of Bern’s main landmarks...
Bern is home to a staggering 100 public fountains. Many have interesting histories behind them and some offer free, drinkable water to thirsty passers-by. But the most famous of them all are the 11 Renaissance fountains in the city center. Attributed to the Swiss sculptor Hans Gieng, these fountains date back to the 16th century. They all feature p...
Also known as Berner Münster or the Cathedral of St. Vincent, the Cathedral of Bern is located right in the heart of the Old Town. Built from the 15th century onwards, Bern’s Cathedral is the tallest in Switzerland. This beautiful Gothic building is made from sandstone and its chief attraction is its magnificent spire, which was only completed in 1...
Zytglogge is one of the most famous landmarks in Bern. This clock tower dates back to the 12th century and is one of the remainders of Bern’s first city walls. In the early part of the 16th century, an astronomical clock was added which has struck on the hour ever since! Be sure to arrive at Marktgasse several minutes before the hour and you’ll be ...
Käfigturmis another medieval tower in Bern, part of the old city gate. Featuring a clock at the top, its architecture is quite beautiful. Nowadays, trams pass directly through the arch at the base of the tower, where the city gate used to be. It’s always fun to see a tram drive under the tower. This picturesque tower has a rather grim history. Buil...
Bearsare the symbol of Bern and one appears on the city’s coat of arms. Legend has it that the founder of the city – Berchtold V. von Zähringen – went on a hunting expedition in the surrounding forest and a bear was the very first animal he caught. It was to this bear that the city owes its name! The very first bear to be kept in Bern was brought h...
Not too far from the Bear Pit is Bern’s beautiful Rose Garden Park (Rosengarten). Located high on a steep hill, it affords exceptional viewsof the Old Town and across to the Alps. Once a cemetery, Rosengarten became a public park in 1913, with its very first roses planted a few years later. Now, it has over 200 kinds of roses plus hundreds of diffe...
Albert Einstein’s link to Bern is strong– he lived here for 7 years at the beginning of the 20th century. What’s more, Bern is where he developed his famous Theory of Relativity and published some of his most important papers. He also lectured at the University of Bern. This link is celebrated at the Einstein Museum. It’s part of the Bern Historica...
Einstein Housein the old town is another popular place to visit in Bern. If you don’t have the time for the Einstein Museum, this might be a good alternative. Einstein House is located in the city center and you only need 15-30 minutes for a visit. But you can’t really compare the two museums in any way. At the Einstein House, you can see the third...
The Swiss Federal Assembly is one of the oldest democracies in the world. Its home in Bern’s Renaissance-style Parliament Building (Bundeshaus)is a must-see attraction. Not only is the building’s facade quite beautiful, but its interior is breathtaking, with stunning stained glass, elegantly carved wood, and magnificent sculptures. The two chambers...
Jun 13, 2024 · Bern, city, capital of Switzerland and of Bern canton, in the west-central part of the country. It lies along a narrow loop of the Aare River. After a devastating fire ravaged the wood-built town in 1405, Bern was rebuilt with sandstone. Learn more about Bern in this article.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Jun 13, 2024 · Discover the best attractions and activities in Bern, the charming capital of Switzerland. Explore the medieval Old Town, the clock tower, the cathedral, the rose garden, and more.
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Discover Bern's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its historic buildings, picturesque alleyways and lively markets. An unforgettable experience full of culture and history in the heart of Bern.
