Bern - the informal capital of Switzerland

Bern is said to be the capital of Switzerland, although officially the country does not have its own capital. Switzerland is a confederation of 26 cantons, each distinguished by slightly different laws. Bern is located on the Aare River in the central part of the country. The official language in this part of Switzerland is German.

The city's name is derived from the German word for "bear" or "Bär." Bern was founded in 1191 by Bertold V, Duke of Zähringen, who, according to legend, named it after the first animal he hunted, which was a bear. Although a legend, the bear has become a permanent part of the city's history and image. His figure can be found in the coat of arms and in many places in the Swiss capital. In the 19th century, even an enclosure for bears was created in Bern.

Bern - sightseeing, what to see in the city?

It is a picturesque city, beautifully located and full of monuments, which attracts many tourists every year. It boasts a considerable number of interesting museums and attractions not found anywhere else.

Old Town in Bern

Bern's Old Town has been a UNESCO heritage site since 1983. It is characterized by well-preserved, compact buildings, left in an almost unchanged layout since the Middle Ages. There you will find a beautiful cathedral, churches, arcades, Renaissance fountains and many bridges. Bern is also famous for its fountains. The most popular among tourists is the Fountain of the Big Man with a statue of a giant devouring small children. While in Bern's Old Town, it's also worth noting the Zytglogge clock tower from 1530 and Europe's longest covered shopping promenade at 6 kilometers.

Berner Münster

The Cathedral of St. Vincent of Saragossa in Bern was built in the late Gothic style between 1421 and 1575, and was not completed until the late 19th century. The temple has the tallest tower in Switzerland at 100 meters. While there, note the magnificent portal with as many as 234 sandstone figures depicting the Last Judgment, the beautiful stained glass windows, the 12 chapels or the organ dating back to 1726. A viewing platform awaits visitors, which can be reached by elevator.

Einstein House

Here you can see the interiors with original furnishings of the house of the great physicist, where he lived from 1903 to 1905, where he developed his famous relativity series.

Bern Museum of Art

The museum has a collection that includes more than 3,000 paintings, and thousands of prints, films and photographs by artists such as Fra Angelico, Niklaus Manuel, Paul Klee and Pablo Picasso, among others.

Bern Parliament Building (Bundeshaus)

This building was constructed in the second half of the 19th century. It is distinguished by a facade more than 300 meters long, consisting of three separate buildings connected to each other. It is the seat of Switzerland's bicameral parliament. In front of the building there are 26 fountains meant to symbolize the Swiss cantons, and every year in autumn there are spectacular light shows that beautifully illuminate its neoclassical facade.

Sensorium

At this multimedia museum located about 13 kilometers east of the city, you can not only look, but also touch, smell or listen to the exhibits. The props and educational objects there are designed to influence our senses. Thus, walking through the facility you can experience the vibration of sound waves, total darkness or the touch of various unusual textures. A sensory garden full of colors and beautiful smells also awaits visitors.