+31 61 055 6678 | The Hague | info@travoley.nl

0
Your Cart is Empty

Bern

Travoley
Bern

Bern

4°C
Few clouds

Bern Travel Guide

  • About Bern
Switzerland typically does things on a grand scale – the craggy bulk of the Matterhorn, the glossy prestige of Geneva, the epic ski slopes of Graubünden – so for the modestly proportioned Bern to be its de facto capital can seem incongruous. What this likeable little city lacks in headline-grabbing majesty, however, it more than makes up for in charm.Set on a crook in the River Aare, it’s a place where history looms large, with a UNESCO-listed old town, medieval clock tower and gargantuan cathedral all lending the place a stuck-in-time feel. It also has a strange fascination with all things ursine – the name ‘Bern’ is said to have derived from when the city’s founder killed a bear here on the Aare peninsula, and there have been bear pits in the city ever since. Visitors can still see the resident bears living freely, climbing, fishing and playing by the river in Bern’s Bear Park.Another equally unique tourist opportunity is for strong swimmers to join the locals in drifting along the river, passing superb views of the city’s architectural riches along the way, including the House of Parliament.Back on land, the many high-quality restaurants, bars and wine cellars are as varied as the city’s excellent museums, which range from the grandiose Bern Historical Museum to the quaint Einsteinhaus, a flat that was once home to the city’s most famous resident: Albert Einstein.You may well need Einstein’s mathematical expertise when it comes to shopping, because Bern isn’t cheap – expect fine jewellers, premium chocolatiers and exclusive designer boutiques. Browsing the 6km (3.7 miles) of 15th-century arcades in the Old Town, though, is a delight.Another unique characteristic of Bern is its fountains; there are over 100 of them. Each tells a story about events and heroes in the city’s past. The most gruesome – and consequently the most famous – is the Kindlifresserbrunnen located on Kornhausplatz, which depicts an ogre swallowing a child.Bern even has its own mountain, the Gurten, popular with locals and visitors in the summer thanks to its sweeping views, miniature railway and observation tower. Sleek towers and financial clout? Overrated. Bern has something far harder to buy: charm.
  • Bern History
Bern was founded in 1191 when Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen commanded a nobleman to build a city on a peninsula covered by an oak forest. The forest was cut down and the felled timber was used to build houses. The Clock Tower that stands today in the Old Town formed the city gate.The bear featured on the present city coat of arms first appeared in 1224. According to legend, the city was named after the first animal killed by the Duke while hunting during the construction of the city.In the 13th century, Bern expanded towards the west, and the Käfigturm (Prison Tower) formed the new main gate. In the 14th century, the third expansion phase of the city took place up to the present main railway station. In 1353 Bern became the eighth member of the Old Swiss Confederacy. The city conquered neighbouring territories and was considered to be the biggest and most powerful city state north of the Alps.In 1405 Bern was devastated by a massive fire; the wooden buildings were consequently replaced by sandstone and by the 16th and 17th centuries most houses had already been built in the new material. This is why the original medieval Old Town has remained largely unchanged to the present day.As Bern was not situated near any of the major trading routes, agriculture swiftly became the main source of employment for the Bernese and remained so throughout their history. Another important industry for Bern was tannery, and leather became one of their main exports.Bernese commerce and crafts, organised in guilds, boomed in the 16th and 17th centuries, with Bernese glass paintings being in high demand across Europe.In 1798, Bern was occupied by French troops during the French Revolutionary Wars, when it was stripped of parts of its territories. It regained the Bernese Oberland in 1802 and following the Congress of Vienna of 1814 acquired the Bernese Jura. Once again, it succeeded in becoming the largest canton of the confederacy. In 1848, Bern was made the federal capital of Switzerland.
  • Did you know?
It is believed that the city was named after a bear, the first animal to be killed by its founder on a hunting expedition. The street signs in the Old Town have different colours. This dates back to the 18th century when Napoleon conquered the city; the colours helped mostly illiterate troops find their way to their quarters. Toblerone chocolate was invented in the city in 1908 and is still made exclusively in Bern.
  • Weather in Bern
Bern has a humid continental climate characterised by warm summers and cold winters.Spring (March to May) sees temperatures gradually increase from 5°C (41°F) to 12°C (54°F).Summer (June to August) is the peak season for tourism as temperatures in Bern typically hit highs of 23°C (73°F). This is a popular season for walking, hiking and cycling tours around the city. The River Aare becomes a popular spot in summer as locals and tourists go rafting along the river, seeing the city from a unique and unusual perspective.Autumn (September to November) is mild with the average temperatures reaching highs of 19°C (66°F) in September and 8°C (46°F) in November.Winter (December to February) can be frigid as the average temperature typically reaches lows of -2°C (28°F) in December. However, the Christmas markets dotted around the city makes the season more enjoyable. The main Christmas markets can be found in Münsterplatz and Waisenhausplatz.

CONTACT A TRAVEL EXPERT

1-to-1 Service | Reply within 24hrs | Expert’s Advice

Click here