Federal Palace of Switzerland
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Bern ( Swiss Standard German: [bɛrn] ⓘ, German: [bɛʁn] ), or Berne ( French: [bɛʁn] ⓘ ), [note 1] is the de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the " federal city ". [note 2] [3] With a population of about 133,000 (as of 2022 [update] ), Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zürich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. [4] .
- 51.62 km² (19.93 sq mi)
- Bern
- Switzerland
- Bern-Mittelland administrative district
Discover Bern, the diverse and unique federal city of Switzerland, with its cultural attractions, natural beauty, and culinary delights. Find top events, activities, and tips for every season and occasion in the city and region of Bern.
- Old Town
- Zentrum Paul Klee
- Zytglogge
- Bern Cathedral
- Gurten
- Bern Historical Museum
- Bundeshaus
- Bärenpark
- Rosengarten
- Museum of Fine Arts
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One of the many things to love about Bern’s UNESCO-listed medieval centre is its uniformity: Most of the city was claimed by a fire in 1405, and tall sandstone buildings took over from the old wooden houses. Many are woven with arcades on their ground floor, and these are a defining characteristic of the city. There are six kilometres of arcades in...
In Bern’s eastern outskirts is a phenomenal modern museum for one of the most influential artists of the early 20th century. Klee was born just outside Bern and went to Gymnasium in the city. In 1997 his daughter donated all of her inheritance to the city, and Renzo Piano was hired to design a museum for these works. Looking like an oscillating wav...
Erected at the end of the 12th century as Bern’s western city gate, this tower in the Old Town has become an icon for an extraordinary clock that was installed in 1530. One of the oldest in Switzerland, this measured standard time in the Canton of Bern, and has an astounding astronomical clock below. Get to Marktgasse on the stroke of the hour for ...
Switzerland’s tallest cathedral went up gradually during the 15th and 16th centuries. The single spire soars to more than 100 metres and unless you’re a bit squeamish about heights you should have no hesitation conquering the 400-odd steps to view the distant, snow-capped Alps. But before you do that, the Last Judgement will greet you as you enter....
If you’re in Bern for more than a day you have to plan a few hours on the slopes of Bern’s own hill, Gurten. There’s a funicular that you catch from by the Aare in Waben. This has been serving the 858-metre hill since 1899 and gets to the top in just five minutes. Summer means hiking, a ride on the miniature railway for little ones, barbecues and o...
Switzerland’s second largest institution in this field, the Bern Historical Museum handles historical and ethnographical collections going back to the Stone Age. These are housed in a Neo-Renaissance edifice, which has a modern extension for temporary exhibitions. Among the highlights of the vast and varied permanent displays are spoils of war: The...
In Switzerland’s capital you have to make time for the Swiss Federal Assembly. After all, we’re talking one of the world’s oldest democracies. The Bundeshaus was completed in stages throughout the second half of the 19th century. If you want to see inside you’ll need to book in advance as the tours fill up quickly. Your knowledgeable guide will bom...
Cross the Aare from the Old Town and you’ll find yourself in the company of three brown bears. Bern has long had an affection for bears, and the animal was adopted as an emblem as long ago as the 12th century. Bern has kept its own bears since at least the 16th century, and they were moved to this park on the opposite bank of the Aare in 1857. The ...
The city’s rose garden is on high ground, close to the BärenPark and with a very satisfying vista of Bern’s Old Town from the right bank of the Aare. Families, friends and couples come to meet up and take picnics with Bern at their feet. This piece of open land was a cemetery up to 1913, and the first of its roses were planted in 1917. Spring and e...
The oldest art museum in the country opened its doors in 1879 in a purpose-built Eclecticist hall. The earliest pieces are from the middle ages and the museum grazes over host of movements up to the present day. In the collection there are 3,000 paintings and sculptures as well as almost 50,000 photographs, prints, sketches and pieces of video art....
Discover the best things to do in Bern, Switzerland's fifth largest city and the capital of the Alps. Explore its UNESCO-listed Old Town, its museums and landmarks, its hill and its history. Learn about Albert Einstein, Paul Klee and the Swiss Federal Assembly.
Discover Bern, the historic and cultural centre of Switzerland, with its medieval old town, arcades, fountains and river. Explore its museums, parks, bears, markets and nearby Alps.
Apr 10, 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
Explore the charming and historic sandstone buildings, arcades, fountains and monuments of Bern's Old City, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Discover the attractions, shopping, gastronomy and events in the lower and upper parts of the Old City.
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Discover Bern, the capital of Switzerland, with its medieval Old Town, cultural attractions and scenic river. Find tips on planning, activities, guidebooks and more from Lonely Planet.
