Bern

 

Bern, Switzerland’s gorgeous capital city, is a must visit for visitors in Switzerland. The city is built on a hill above a bend in the glittering Aare River.  Most of the city was destroy after a fire in 1405, and sandstone buildings took over from the old wooden houses. The old town has preserved much of its medieval character ever since.  The picture-perfect cobblestone streets, beautiful views of the river Aare and the Zytglogge clock tower are listed as UNESCO  World Heritage Site since 1983.  

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The Old Town is where you will find all the main sights, including all of the bridges across the Aare, public fountains, old statues, the famous Clock Tower and the six kilometres of arcades to be explored. The arcades were built after the fire in 1405, and it is  the longest covered shopping street in all of Europe.

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Bern was also Albert Einstein’s home town for the first decade of the 20th century. The Historical Museum has a riveting exhibition about his time at the patent office in the city. 

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Zytglogge Clock Tower

Built in the early 13th century, this ornate clock tower it has served the city as western gate, guard tower, prison, clock tower and civic memorial. Every hour, on the hour, medieval figurines appear from the Zytglogge.  The dancing bears, the cheeky fool, the brave Knights and the crowing rooster have been a joy for the public every day for centuries.

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The Einstein Museum and the Historical Museum of Bern

Housed in a 130-year-old Andre-Lambert-designed building based on 15th-century castles, the historical Museum displays historical and ethnographical collections going back to the Stone Age and the Einstein Museum is focused on the life of the great scientist, photography and objects illustrating his time in Bern when he devised his Theory of Relativity.

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Bern Cathedral (Berner Münster)

With its gothic architecture inside and out, along with a beautiful square out front, the cathedral is a must do on a trip to Bern. It is also known as the Münster, as the locals call it.

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Parliament building (Bundeshaus)

Home to the Swiss Federal Government, Bern's Renaissance-style Parliament building, standing on the edge of the high ground above the Aare River, is one of the more noticeable pieces of architecture that Bern has to offer. In front, on the Bundesplatz is a popular fountain with 26 jets, each one symbolising one of Switzerland’s Cantons.

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The Bear Park

Bears have lived in the city since as far back as the 1500s and to this day, they can be seen in their new riverside “home”, an open-air park with access to water, which was built in 2009. Three bears live here at the moment and they can be seen eating, sleeping and playing from a short but safe distance.

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Rosengarten

The rose garden is a large open area on high ground, with impressive views of the city.  It has rhododendron species that flower in May, as well as a graceful pond with lilies that bloom in July. A great place to relax.

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Gurten

Gurten, Bern’s own hill,with a height of  864 meters, offers a 360-degree view of the gorgeous city with the spiky Alps from the countryside beyond. In the winter, the mountain offers kids' skiing and toboggan runs. Summer means hiking, through flowery meadows and into thick forests, barbecues and other good times outdoors activities. 

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