Holiday Destination: Bern

The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt of Switzerland, the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. Bern is also the capital of the Canton of Bern, the second most populous of Switzerland's cantons. The official language of Bern is German, but the main spoken language is the Alemannic dialect called Bernese German. In 1983 the historic old town in the centre of Bern became World Heritage Site, and Bern is ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the best quality of life. The medieval air of this city with its many fountains, sandstone facades, narrow streets and historic towers is unique. The elevated Rose Garden above the Bear Park and the platform of the 101 metre high cathedral tower offer the best views of the old town round which the River Aare flows. The former entrenchments and bastions drop down steeply to the river. The boutiques, bars and cabaret stages of the old town, some of which are located in vaulted cellars, and the small street cafes attract locals as well as a lot of tourists. Although Bern has a very good public transport network it is best to explore the city centre on foot.

Climate

Summer 23.5 °C (74.3 °F), Winter (−3.7) °C (25.3 °F)

Tourist Season

June to September is the best for visiting Bern.

Accommodation

Hotels and Apartments.

General Information Of Bern

• Land Area: 19.93 sq mi (51.62 km2)
• Population: 1 Lakh.
• Capital City: Bern.
• Language: English, French and German.

Tourist Attraction in or Near by Bern

Bear Pit

A bear pit was historically used to display bears, typically for entertainment and especially bear-baiting. The pit area was normally surrounded by a high fence, above which the spectators would look down on the bears. The most traditional form of maintaining bears in captivity is keeping them in pits, although many zoos replaced these by more elaborate and spacious enclosures that attempt to replicate their natural habitats, for the benefit of the animals and the visitors. Berlin has a bear pit, known as the Bärenzwinger, which was established in 1939 in Köllnischer Park behind the Märkisches Museum. Another bear pit in Bern, Switzerland, known as the Bärengraben, was built in 1857 and is still in use to display bears, albeit supplemented by the adjacent BärenPark, a larger and more natural enclosure to which it is linked by tunnel.

Cathedral Clock

The World Heritage Site of Old Bern houses the Cathedral, the largest building of religious importance in Switzerland and one of the most important, in the Upper German region. This late Gothic city parish church was begun in 1421 A. D. and became a chapter in 1484. This 100 meter tall neo-Gothic style structure is richly furnished and offers a wonderful view of the Old City from above the rooftops. The Cathedral Clock, Bern was originally built as the city gate. But with the city walls moving outwards, it was converted into a prison for the prostitutes who lived by serving the clergy.Although the original tower was burnt in the fire in 1405 it was nevertheless, later rebuilt in stone.

Einstein House

The Albert Einstein House at 112 Mercer Street in Princeton, New Jersey was the home of Albert Einstein from 1936 until his death in 1955.The house was probably built in the 1870's or 1880's. The house is a simple pattern book cottage and in itself is of no particular architectural significance. Albert Einstein reportedly requested that this house not be made a museum, and the family did not want it to be recognized as such. Nonetheless it was added to the National Register of Historic Places and further designated a U.S. National Historic Landmark in 1976. The house was previously occupied by Eric Maskin and his family. He was the Albert O. Hirschman Professor of Social Science, School of Social Science, Institute of Advanced Study.

Historical Museum of Bern

The Historical Museum of Bern is the second largest historical museum in Switzerland. It was built in 1894 by the Neuchâtel architect André Lambert. As it was first conceived as the Swiss National Museum the architect took as model various historic castles from the 15th and 16th centuries. The museum contains collections related to the history of Berne from prehistory to the present and other permanent exhibitions from Asia and Egypt. It is a heritage site of national significance.

Zoological Gardens

If you want to get to know the past and present wildlife of Switzerland, then the Daehlhoelzli Animal Park or the Zoological Gardens, Bern is the right place to visit. This is one of the most beautiful tourist attractions in Bern situated between the charming River Aare and the dense Forest of Daehlhoelzli. The Bern Zoological Gardens, spread over the area of around 16 hectares, offer a unique riverside landscape where you can see the wild animals kept in their natural habitat. Here you will find a large variety of species including various exotic mammals, colorful birds, frightening reptiles, and strange amphibians and insects.

Bern Art Gallery

It was October 1, 1918 when the Art Gallery in Bern, called Kunsthalle Bern was opened to public and since that day it has become the Mecca of Bernese Art. This beautiful Art Gallery in Bern exhibits a broad range of Bernese National, and International art. The solo shows of the artists like Klee, Moore, Johns, Giacometti, Le Witt, Nauman, and Buren and the thematic exhibitions like made it world renowned. The Bern Art Gallery is one of the ‘must see’ tourist attractions in the city and there are a number of lively programs like guided tours, lectures, and discussions taking place at Kunsthalle Bern round the year.

Classical Antiquities

Classical Antiquities, could you imagine that one of the major tourist attractions in Bern would lie in a former paper warehouse. Could you believe that this space of industrial character would influence the formative design of a place, which is devoted to a subject like Classical Antiquities? But it is true. The Collection of Classical Antiquities, Bern lies in a former paper warehouse and it is equally true that antiquity can go hand in hand with industry. Mostly the exhibits here, is a collection of plaster casts. You can find various Greek and Roman sculptures on display; Aphrodite, Laocoon, and Cleopatra.

Gurten

A park is always a good escape from our boring daily life and if it is situated on a hill then the excitement further accelerates! The city of Bern boasts of such an exciting place, situated just outskirts of its southern suburb of Wabern called the Gurten, Bern. Gurten, Bern is a ‘house mountain’ and it is probably one of the most scenic spots in Switzerland. Since 1999, a beautiful park has been developed at this elevated place. The Gurten, Bern is a child’s paradise. Here you can see miniature railway, plenty of barbecue areas, and also an observation tower. If you are fortunate and the weather is good, you can have breathtaking views of the Alps from here.

Kornhaus

The Kornhaus, Bern is the main cultural venue of the city. This building was built in 1453 A. D. and is an important example of the High Baroque architecture. Originally, the Kornhaus, Bern was built as a corn market. Its ground floor was used as a place to sell corns for around four hundred years while its upper floors were used to store grains and wine barrels. Since 1760 the Kornhaus, Bern was even started being used as a school and an Academy for Young Ladies. Some of the offices and health and security institutions were also housed in this building.

Bundeshaus

Dating back to 1902, the Houses of Parliament has become one of Berne's most important and instantly recognisable landmarks, with the imposing palatial architecture dominating the Confederation Plaza. The building was always designed to be particularly noticeable and features several rather eye catching copper domes. Home to the Swiss Federal Assembly, the Berne Bundeshaus also boasts a stained-glass dome, which is decorated with emblems of the city and contains an enormous chandelier, with more than 200 light bulbs. Guided tours of the Bundeshaus run when Parliament is actually in recess and allow you to get a close up look at the many interior attractions. You are also permitted in the public gallery to observe parliamentary sessions from a distance.

Accessibility

Bus Terminal in or Near by

New Tree Station

Bollwerk 35
Bern, Switzerland

Bern, Zytglogge

Zytglogge
Bern, Switzerland

Bern, Kursaal

Kursaal
Bern, Switzerland

Airport

Bern Airport: For International and Domestic flights.

Railway Stations

Bern Railway Station

Bahnhofplatz 10
Bern, Switzerland

Bern Weissenbühl

Bern Weissenbühl
Bern, Switzerland

Liebefeld

Liebefeld
Köniz, Switzerland