The city was founded at the end of the XII century, so many of the sights of Bern are of historical value, and most of them are on the UNESCO list of sites. When deciding what to see in Bern, take into account its non-standard two-level location. The upper part contains the main iconic places, the lower part is ideal for relaxing walks by the river.
What to see in Bern first of all
Having a true German origin and, accordingly, cultural preferences, Bern still manages to maintain a visible touch of European culture. Looking at the sights of Bern, photos with names and descriptions, evaluate the influence of Europe on the Swiss capital.
1. The Old Town
Aerial view of the Old Town of Bern with the Aare River flowing through the city on a sunny day
Bern’s heart is concentrated in its old part. There are interesting places here that must be bypassed without fail. Despite its small size, the Old Town has become a haven for many beautiful ancient buildings, surprising with their architecture. Take a leisurely stroll, looking at the tower with an astronomical clock, fountains, arcades stretching for kilometers along medieval streets. This urban area is a UNESCO heritage site.
Official website: https://www.bern.com
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2. The Federal Palace
The south side of the Federal Palace
Listing the main sights of Bern briefly, we will place this palace, famous for its Florentine Baroque architecture, in the avant-garde. The Swiss Parliament and the federal government of the country are located here. The size of the dome – 62 m – indicates the scale of the structure. Under the dome, in the lobby, there are statues of national historical figures, for informational purposes, you can see the emblems of the cantons of Switzerland. Tourists can watch the parliament sessions from special galleries.
Official website: https://www.parlament.ch
3. Bern Town Hall
Sculptures of saints, mythological characters and animals on the facades of the Bern Town Hall
The building was built at the end of the XIV century. it was originally a trading place. The high tourist rating is provided by the originality of the building (in particular, the roof structure with four slopes), an astronomical clock mounted in the tower, and two dials under the roof, riveting the eyes of passing tourists. There are exhibition and concert halls on the upper floors, and in summer you can listen to classical music there.
Official website: https://www.rathaus.sites.be.ch
4. Bernese fountains
The Banner Bearer Fountain on Rathausplatz square in Bern
Any excursions in Bern include visits to at least a few of the more than 100 fountains. Many of them have drinking water, which saves people from thirst in the summer heat. The ingenuity of the creators is surprising, rejecting the traditional, hackneyed ideas about the classical construction of the fountain. Most of them are decorated in a thematic style, individual for each, but they are all united by a common element. The center of many fountains is crowned by a colorful large figure towering on a column decorated with stucco. Initially, all fountains were built of wood, and only over time it was replaced by stone.
5. The Citglogge Tower
Astronomical clock on the medieval Zytglogge clock tower on Kramgasse Street in the Old Town of Bern
“Bell of Time” is how the name of the tower is translated. The elegant building, decorated with Baroque elements, was a fire tower in the XIII century, then a prison, and only the equipment of a large astronomical clock made it an iconic landmark of Bern and the main determinant of time for five centuries. The bell tower, decorated with images of planets, figurines of angels and mythical characters, offers a magnificent view of the Old Town.
Official website: https://www.zeitglockenturm.ch
See the beautiful places of Bern in this wonderful video!
6. The Prison Tower
Spitalgasse Street and Kafigturm Tower, decorated with the “Greatness of Bern” clock
Until the end of the 19th century, prisoners were held here, then the tower was reformatted into the city archive, then into a library and a room for exhibitions. When going on a trip, be sure to take the time to explore this ancient structure. Today, an observation deck was built on the site of the fire lodge attached to the tower during its construction.
7. Bern Cathedral
Panoramic view of Bern Cathedral and the Are River
If you have come for a short time and do not know what to see in Bern in 1 day, pay attention to this cathedral in the Old Town, built in the late Gothic style. It is the tallest temple in the country with a bell tower 100 m high and a huge bell with a diameter of about 2.5 m and a weight of 10 tons. The interior is not rich, but still interesting with its stained glass windows, antique furniture, and bas-relief composition. Tourists are allowed to climb the tower.
8. The Church of St. Peter and Paul
The Church of St. Peter and Paul – the first Catholic church in Andreas Praefcke after the Reformation
The current Catholic church has earned the best recommendations from tourists, primarily due to the originality of the building, made in the Gothic style and complemented by elements of the Romanesque style. The church’s plan was approved as a result of an international competition for the best project. At the end of the last century, the interior of the building was supplemented with modernist murals. An organ is working in the church today.
9. The Church of the Holy Spirit
View of the Church of the Holy Spirit from the railway station in Bern WillYs Fotowerkstatt
In the XIII century. there was a small chapel on this site, of which only the bell remained after the destruction. The reviews note the impressiveness of the building, built in the Baroque style. The restraint and, at the same time, the elegance of the interior is emphasized by a circular gallery of arches and massive sandstone columns, elegantly decorated with stucco elements.
10. Nidegkirche Church
Nidegkirche Church in the Old Town of Wladyslaw Sojka
If during your trip to Bern you see an ancient temple with a green spire, then it will be the Nidegkirche church, built on the ruins of the fortress. Gracefully towering against the background of the Aara River, she greets the parishioners with a door decorated with beautiful bronze bas-reliefs. In front of the entrance there is a monument to Duke Tseringen, the founder of the capital.
11. Paul Klee Center
General view of the building of the Paul Klee Center – Museum and Exhibition center
We will advise you where to go in Bern, who is interested in landscape design. The museum dedicated to the famous artist of the last century, Paul Klee, is a vivid example of a non–standard approach to organizing exhibitions, usually limited by walls. The alternative center was created in the form of a wave, the author of the project himself calls it a landscape sculpture. It is a green island with glass and steel hills, which houses exhibition centers, venues for theatrical performances and concerts, a museum for children, conference and seminar rooms.
Official website: https://www.zpk.org
12. Albert Einstein House Museum
The facade of the Albert Einstein House Museum Dsmntl
Do you want to know what to see in Bern that is ordinary and memorable? Visit the Einstein Museum, even if you are a complete ignoramus in the theory of relativity. The exposition reproduces the era of the brilliant physicist, introduces his theory, tells about his family. The exhibition of the scientist’s personal belongings and a film about his life story, which is being shown in one of the museum halls, are of great interest to visitors.
Official website: https://www.einstein-bern.ch
13. Bern Historical Museum
The monument to the World Telegraph and the Historical Museum of Bern on Helvetiaplatz Krol:k
Any overview of the sights of Bern contains information about this museum with exhibitions of artifacts from various eras. Here you can spend more than one hour looking at collections of ancient coins and works by Venetian masters, folk art and silver objects, Burgundy tapestries. The expositions are equipped with modern multimedia tools that make them more interesting and easy to perceive. A place has been allocated in the museum building for the A. Einstein House Museum.
Official website: https://www.bhm.ch
14. Museum of Fine Arts
Snow-white sculptures on the facade of the Kunstmuseum Bern Museum of Fine Arts
The best tour of this place will be conducted by guides in Bern, complementing what they saw with real facts and curious nuances. A huge exhibition of paintings by the greatest painters will be appreciated not only by people who know a lot about it. The gray two-story building is devoid of chic and outrageous, but the colorful atmosphere inside attracts tourists like a magnet. Photo exhibitions and documentary screenings are constantly held here.
Official website: https://www.kunstmuseumbern.ch
15. Museum of Communication
Entrance to the Museum of Communication in Bern
The austere, unremarkable building became the home of an interesting exhibition on the topic of human communication and information transmission. In particular, separate expositions are devoted to transport, mail, philately, television, radio, and digital culture. Interactive exhibits are interesting (especially for children), which help to quickly understand and remember information.
Official website: https://www.mfk.ch
Sights of Bern: What else to visit in Bern?
The article contains the best sights of Bern according to the tourist tabloids. Sightseeing of architectural monuments and temples of art is interspersed with the bright lively atmosphere of Bernese restaurants, street cafes and authentic cellars. Unsurprisingly, hotels in Bern never experience a shortage of customers.
16. Museum of Natural History
The Museum of Natural History is the most important natural science museum in Switzerland Piggy
A huge, impressive diorama is what the museum is primarily proud of. She introduces the life of animals in nature. Perhaps the most famous exhibit here is the stuffed St. Bernard Barry, who worked for 20 years on the pass of the north, saving frozen travelers. Also interesting is the collection of 50 minerals with smoky quartz collected in a meter-long line. Visitors are interested in watching the interactive diamond mining process.
Official website: https://www.nmbe.ch
17. The Botanical Garden
View from the opposite bank of the Aare River to the University Botanical Garden Krol:k
The local Botanical Garden, spread out on a hill, can surely be called a landmark of Switzerland, and not only of the city. Small, located in a cozy part of Bern, it is planted with plants brought from all continents. It is interesting to see collections of medicinal plants, cacti, alpine zones. Tired of contemplating 6,000 plants, you can relax on the shore of a reservoir or look at the panorama of the city from a hill.
Official website: https://www.unibe.ch
18. Rose Garden
Rose bushes in the Rose Garden – the local Botanical Garden
What to visit in Bern to forever capture the magnificent Swiss nature? Go to the top of the hill on the banks of the Aara, look at the Rose Garden. There used to be an old cemetery there, today the whole pink ocean is fragrant. Climbing to the top, you will enjoy the view of the city from above. At the peak, you will find a huge garden with 220 species of rose bushes exuding a magical fragrance. The beauty of roses is diluted by rhododendrons and irises growing nearby.
Official website: https://www.bern.com
19. The Bear Pit Park
Bear Pit Park with live bears and a slope going down to the Aarev River
The city authorities were generous towards their heraldic animal, allocating huge funds for the maintenance of bears in the form of an entire park. A real paradise has been organized for them here: they play, climb trees, fish and swim in the backwaters, in general, they live for their own pleasure.The location of the park attracts: it’s like living nature, and at the same time – the center of the city. A transparent plastic fence allows you to take good pictures. Official website: https://www.tierpark-bern.ch
20. Gurten Park
Gurten Park Children’s Railway
Despite its location in the city, the park creates a sense of country recreation. The territory is equipped with a playground and a railway for children, from the top of the hill there is a good view of Bern on one side and the Alps on the other. In hot weather, you can swim in the fountain. In summer, you can take a mini-train ride around the territory.
Official website: https://translate.google.ru
The medieval streets of the Swiss capital evoke thoughts of a romantic vacation. Find a chance to visit a country where, according to UNESCO, the world’s largest cultural treasures are collected. Read also about the sights of Basel and be inspired to travel further in Switzerland.
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