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Bern is the federal city of Switzerland. Although nominally the capital of Switzerland, Switzerland does not actually have a capital. Bern was elected federal city on November 28, 1848, following the transformation of the Swiss confederation into a federal state. Before Bern became the federal city, the federal government changed every year from 1803, and later every two years, from one Swiss city to another.
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Although there were settlements before, the current city of Bern was founded by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen in 1191. According to a legend, the city is called Bern because the duke killed a bear on this site, the bear is the city's mascot. . Berchthold V built the city according to a clear plan, with the city being surrounded on three sides by the Aare and therefore more defensible. A wall and a tower were built on the fourth (western) side. On that side, the city was further enlarged relatively quickly. The edge of the city was marked by the Zytgloggetoren until 1256, then by the Käfigtoren until 1345 and by the Christoffelturm until 1622. This tower stood on the site of the current central station and was demolished in 1865.
After the extinction of the Zähringer family in 1218, Bern became a free city. Finally, the city gained its independence after 2 wars, the first in 1298 against Freiburg and the Habsburgs and then in 1339 against the Burgundians. In the second war, Bern was supported by the Confederates of Nidwalden, Uri and Schwyz, with whom the city allied in 1323.
Arrive
By plane
Although Bern has its own airport (Belpermoos), most travelers arriving by plane arrive at the airports of Geneva (Cointrin) or Zurich (Shit). Intercity trains run every half hour from the Zurich Flughafen and Genève Aeroport train stations directly to Bern. For the timetable see the website of the SBB.
By train
The Swiss Federal Railroad (SBB-CFF-FFS) together with several private railway companies (including BLS/Loetschbergbahn [1]) frequent train connections with Bern. In cooperation with foreign companies, cities in France, Germany and Italy are also served directly from Bern or with transfers in Basel, Geneva or Brig served. The TGV runs a few times a day from Bern to Paris and its German counterpart the ICE drives to Frankfurt am Main.
By car
Bern is located at the intersection of the Swiss motorways A1 (Zurich - Geneve); A6 (Biel - Spiez) and A12 (Bern - Vevey). Please note that the Autobahnvignette (CHF 40,- per year) is mandatory to use the motorway! Due to the good quality of the roads and the fact that traffic jams only occur at certain points during rush hours, it is easy to travel to Bern by car. Parking in the city is relatively expensive (especially in the parking garages). In the areas around the city center you can park for free in the blue marked parking spaces between 19:00 and 08:00, but empty spaces are difficult to find. It is easier to park the car at a P R site outside the city and continue your journey by train, bus or tram.
By bus
By boat
Travel around
Public transport
The Bern region has a unit rate for public transport. Bern's urban transport company operates the tram lines and the city bus, the suburban trains are largely operated by the BLS (Loetschbergbahn) [2] and the RBS (Regionalverkehr Bern Solothurn) [3]. The urban transport area roughly extends from Solothurn to Friborg and from Biel to Thun. For more information, rates and timetable see the Bern Mobil . site [4].
Guests of registered hotels (eg Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke) will receive a "Bern Ticket" during their entire stay, which allows free and unlimited travel on all public transport in Bern. For example, this ticket also gives free access to the Standseilbahn Wabern-Gurten and the Matte lift.
On foot
Due to the limited area of the city center, it is excellent to explore on foot.
To look at
The center of Bern is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The arcades in the center of Bern: In most shopping streets, the houses are built in such a way that the first floor protrudes above the sidewalks. At street level, these floors are supported by arched constructions, creating a kind of semi-covered shopping arcade. In between, there are also characteristic cellar hatches in some streets, giving access to bars and restaurants, as well as shops and hairdressers.
- The Bear Pit (Bärengraben), Grosser Muristalden 6, Bern. The bear is the symbol of Bern. As living proof, some bears are kept in the Bärengraben at the end of Nydeggasse. Free access.
- Time Clock Tower (Zytglogge). Built in the 15th century as a city gate. In the facade is a monumental clockwork, with moving figures, including a couple of bears that make their rounds just before every full hour. The golden rooster crows every fifteen minutes.
- Parliament Building (Bundeshaus), Bundesplatz 3,3005 Bern,Switzerland. diagonally opposite the station, projecting high above the Aare. Next to the parliament building you can take a funicular (Standseilbahn) to the banks of the Aare.
- Gurten Park (Waldreservat am Gurten), Grunebodenweg (Tram line 9, Standseilbahn Wabern-Gurten). Park and forest area with many walking and cycling opportunities. Children's playground and dining options are also available. Furthermore, a watchtower that can be climbed (120 steps). for free.
- Mattenschwelle (at the Kirchenfeldbrücke into the valley of the Aare.). A weir in the Aare that supplies water to a hydroelectric power station. Walk on both sides through the deeply carved valley of the Aare.
- Botanical Garden of the University of Bern (Botanical Garden of the University of Bern), Altenbergrain 21 (Bus 20, stop Gewerbede). 08:00-17:00 h.. Stuck against the valley wall of the Aare, just outside the old city center of Bern. A varied botanical garden with different greenhouses, but also plenty of outdoor space. Some old trees. "Café Fleuri" for coffee and sweets. entrance free.
To do
- Swimming in the Aare. Part of the Aare is accessible to swimmers in summer.
- Float on the Aare. Go down the Aare with a canoe or rubber boat, from Thun until beyond Bern.
To learn
To work
To buy
- Westside Shopping Center.
Food
Budget
Average
Expensive
Going out
stay overnight
Camping
- Campingplatz Eichholz, Beach road 49 (In the south of Bern).
Budget
- Jugendherberge Bern (Youth hostel), Weihergasse 4, ☎ 41 31 326 1111, fax machine: 41 31 326 1112. Bern's youth hostel is good, large and centrally located, right below the parliament building on the river Aare. Take the funicular (Marzilibahn) down next to the parliament building and turn left at the exit of the station. The youth hostel is just down the road on Weihergasse.
- Bern Backpackers Hotel Glocke, Rathausgasse 75, 3011 Bern, Switzerland.
- Landhaus, Hotel Backpackers, Altenbergstr. 4.
Average
- Marthahaus, Wyttenbachstrasse 22a, Bern. Cheap by Bernese standards. Nice breakfast, coffee and tea 24 hours a day, very friendly hostess
Expensive
Contact
Safety
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