Located on the Swiss plateau, Bern lies to the west of central Switzerland, surrounded by rolling hills and the River Aar, and backed by the beautiful Alps. The old city of Bern is known largely as a medieval city, recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site due to the many sandstone buildings, historic towers and its many unique fountains which are a fine example of medieval civic architecture. Since 1848 Bern has been the federal capital of Switzerland, and home to the Federal Palace or Bundeshaus, the National Parliament and part of the Federal Administration. It is also the capital of the Canton of Bern, which is the second largest canton in the country, and also has the second largest population!!
The old town of Bern was built on a peninsular created by a huge loop in the River Aar, and dates from 1191, when Duke Berchtold V of Zahringen chose this site for a military post and its exceptional defensive capabilities. The original city from 1191 to 1256 was contained by the Zeitglockenturm, or clock tower, which is Bern’s best known historic site. It is an elaborate, beautiful and impressive medieval clock tower with moving puppets, but by 1256 the city grew to the west beyond this clock tower to the Prison Tower, which then formed the main gate. The 14th century saw more growth, and in 1353 Bern became the 8th member of the Swiss Confederacy and was regarded as the biggest and most powerful city-state north of the Alps!! Today the old town with its historic atmosphere, cobbled streets and sandstone buildings with their steep roofs and pitched windows, contains an impressive 15th century Cathedral, or Munster, and a 15th century town hall, and is home to the popular Barengraben, or 16th century ‘Bear Pit’. The name ‘Bern’ comes from the bear, which since 1224 forms part of the coat of arms of the city. According to legend the city was named after the first animal killed by Duke Berchtold V whilst hunting during the construction of the city!! Home to Europe’s longest covered shopping promenade at 6 kilometres, and the renowned medieval fountains, Bern is a uniquely picturesque and interesting tourist destination.
Apart from its historical importance, Bern has many interesting and exciting events and festivals, being home to the Carnival of Bern in February, the Grand Prix in May, the Buskers Festival in August and the traditional folk Onion Market or the Zibelmarit in November, where the onions are displayed and made into intricate arrangements with colourful stalls selling bread, vegetables and hot onion soups and an entertaining fair ground!! The fun doesn’t stop there as the Bern Jazz Festival operates between March and May every year, with the Gurten Music Festival in July, with the year ending on a high note with the Christmas Market in the Munsterplatz, which runs for the month of December leading up to Christmas. The market creates an exciting atmosphere with the decorations and fireworks, plus the sights and sounds of the festive season, and is enjoyed by all!! With good shopping, great restaurants with good food and wine, Bern is an easy location to spend some time.
Just for interest - it is here that Albert Einstein was employed as a patent clerk and worked out his theory of relativity, the Toblerone chocolate bar is made, and Emmental cheese (Swiss Cheese) was marketed to the world!! There are apparently 100 fountains in Bern, perhaps you would like to count them? Eleven of them are crowned with interesting renaissance figures.
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