Top 10 Tourist Attractions in Bern
The first time many visitors
see Bern, they are stunned by the beauty of its setting. The capital of Switzerland is built on a sandstone ridge,
encircled on three sides by the Aare flowing through a valley. High-level
bridges link the city with the high ground on the right bank and with the newer
parts of the city. Houses and shops, with their street level arcades and
projecting roofs, reflect the prosperity of the citizens of Bern in the 17th
and 18th centuries. And this charming character of the well-preserved old town
is integrated into the everyday life of the city, causing it to be recognized
by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Bern
is rich in culture with year-round events such as the Summer and Winter Jazz
Festivals; the Buskers Festival; and the Gurtenfestival, held in mid-July.
Numerous museums and theaters cover a variety of interests, and visitors can
enjoy street-side sightseeing such as the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower
with moving puppets.
1. The Old Town
The old town
of Bern is more than worthy of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Situated on a cliff surrounded on three sides by the stunning aquamarine waters
of the Aare River, the old town has preserved much of its medieval character.
The streets are cobbled and bordered by covered, arcade sidewalks that snake on
for miles. On the lower levels of the buildings are shops, cafés, bookstores,
and restaurants, while the upper floors are apartments.
This old area is where many of the best tourist attractions are
located, including all of the bridges across the Aare, public fountains, old
statues, towers, and, of course, the famous Clock Tower. Several days can be passed
quite happily just strolling around the old town.
2. Kunstmuseum
To the west of
Waisenhausplatz, on the Hodlerstrasse, is the famed Kunstmuseum (Museum of
Art). This massive and impressive art museum is home to more than 51,000
paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, photographs, and films. It is the
oldest art museum in Switzerland, built in 1879, and holds an international
reputation. The collection comprises art from the Italian Trecento (Duccio, Fra
Angelico); Swiss art since the 15th century (Niklaus Manuel, Albert Anker,
Ferdinand Hodler, Cuno Amiet); and international painting from the 19th and
early 20th centuries (Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Blaue Reiter,
Surrealism); with particular focus on Paul Klee, Wassily Kandinsky, and Pablo
Picasso.
Both
national art trends (Meret Oppenheim, Franz Gertsch, Markus Raetz) and
international ones from Jackson Pollock to the present are also represented.
Other exhibitions rotate in and out. Be sure to check the excellent website for
the latest details. The museum offers both public and private tours.
Address:
Hodlerstrasse 8-12, Bern
3. The Einstein Museum and the Historical Museum of Bern
Housed in a
130-year-old Andre-Lambert-designed building based on 15th-century castles, the
Historical Museum of Bern combines with the Einstein Museum to form the second
largest museum in Switzerland. Displays encompass more than half a million
objects dating from the Stone Age through the Celts, Romans, Middle Ages,
Napoleonic era, and into the 19th and 20th centuries. Objects from Alpine Stone
Age burials are as impressive as 15th-century Flemish tapestries and the famous
Königsfelden diptych painted for the King of Hungary.
The Einstein
Museum is focused on the life of the great scientist, demonstrating how he
lived, through dozens of old films, original objects, and letters. Einstein did
some of his most impressive work while living in Bern in the early 1900s,
including the Annus Mirabilis papers on photoelectric effect, the Brownian
motion, the special theory of relativity, and E = mc2. Even his 1921 Nobel
Prize certificate is on display. And for those of us who are not genius
physicists, animated films help the layperson understand Einstein's pioneering
theories. The museum is found on the Helvetiaplatz just across the Aare from
the Old Town.
4. Rosengarten
This is simply one of the most peaceful and
beautiful places in Bern with impressive views of the city. The Rose Garden
Park (Rosengarten) is a large open area sitting on a hill slope just across the
river from the center of town. Originally a cemetery (1765-1877), the area
became a public park in 1913. It was redesigned in the late 1950s and now
sports more than 200 types of roses and another 200 some species of irises,
azaleas, and rhododendrons. There is also a large, splendid pond; a pavilion;
restaurant; and picnic areas. Official site: http://www.rosengarten.be/
5. Berner Münster
Perhaps the most famous
building in Bern, the Berner Münster is also known as the Bern Cathedral and
the Cathedral of St. Vincent. The cathedral is Switzerland's largest church
from the late Middle Ages, and played a vital role in the overall development
of the city's architecture. The late Gothic creation is a three-aisled,
pillared basilica without transept, begun in 1421 to the design of Matthäus
Ensinger of Ulm, but the tower was not completed until 1893, with the addition
of the octagonal upper section and the openwork spire. The west doorway of Bern
Minster is richly decorated with sculpture (now copies); in the tympanum is a
Last Judgment (completed in 1495) containing a number of figures, and on the
side walls are paintings of the Fall and the Annunciation. The nave and the
choir of Bern's St. Vincent Minster have reticulated vaulting with fine
16th-century coats-of-arms. The finely carved choir stalls (1523) were the
first Renaissance work of art in Bern. In the apse are a Gothic font (1524) and
beautiful stained glass (1441-50). At the end of the south aisle is a monument
to Berchtold von Zähringen (1601), incorporating a coat-of-arms. In the Matter
chapel (seventh bay in the south aisle) is the Dance of Death window (1917),
with 20 scenes from the Dance of Death (1516-19) by Niklaus Manuel-Deutsch.
There is a magnificent Baroque organ (1726-30), with 5,404 pipes, and fine
modern stained glass (1947) in the south aisle.
From
the tree-planted Bern Minster terrace, there is an attractive view down
into the Aare valley; and if you can make it up the 254 steps of the tower, the
views over the city are outstanding - especially on a clear day when the Alps
appear as a backdrop.
6. Clock
Tower
The 800-year-old
Clock Tower (Zytglogge) is one of the most famous of Bern's landmarks - and is
well worth the visit (the clock dates to 1530). Just above the western gate
tower in the old section of town, this 23-meter tower is decorated with an
immense astronomical clock. Beginning at just three minutes before every hour,
a circus of mechanical creatures (The Fool, The Knight, The Rooster, The Piper,
and more) come out to put on a little show. Inside, you can see the popularity
of this ancient structure from the 130 worn stone steps. Visitors are welcome
to climb to the observation platform, which sports some impressive views.
Guided tours are excellent and informative.
7. Paul Klee Center
German-Swiss
painter Paul Klee's work is perhaps some of the most recognizable and famous of
all paintings from the first part of the 20th century. Transcending the
zeitgeist of his age (surrealism, cubism, abstraction) Klee regularly combined
various media into his works. His Writings on Form and Design Theory is
considered one of the most important theoretical works on art ever written. The
center contains about 4,000 works by Klee including the famous Dame mit
Sonnenschirm (Woman with Parasol), In den Häusern von St. Germain (Houses of
St. Germain) and Tod und Feuer (Death and Fire). The building itself is
outstanding. Designed by architect Renzo Piano, it takes the form of a rolling,
hilly landscape. It is wide and open, light and airy, and a work of art in and
of itself.
8. The City of Fountains
Scattered
about the old town are a number of ancient public fountains. Installed in the
16th century, the fountains were topped with statues of ideas or biblical
scenes such as Samson killing a lion. Others still sport statues praising the
power of Bern, such as the Zähringerbrunnen (a bear in full armor) and the
Läuferbrunnen (the Runner Fountain). These fountains replaced wooden ones at a
time when the city was rapidly gaining wealth. There are 100 fountains. Eleven
retain the original statues and all are carefully maintained and frequently
repainted. And, yes, the water is still potable.
9. Botanical Garden
The beautiful
botanical garden is not to be missed. It will impress even those that might not
think they are interested in plants and flowers. The garden contains several
sections. The Alpinum focuses on montane ecosystems hosting mountain plants
from Europe, Asia,
andNorth America with a special focus
on Swiss flora. There is also an interesting display on endangered species.
Three other buildings focus on desert, tropical, and subtropical vegetation and
environments. The Palm House is particularly interesting as it focuses on
tropical food-producing plants such as bananas, coconuts, and coffee.
Location:
Altenbergrain
10. Gurten
This is perhaps a favorite
place in all of Bern. Just to the south of the center of the city, the Gurten
is a high mountain (864 meters) with a 360-degree view. Below lies the gorgeous
city with its towers and domes, while the spiky Alps jut from the countryside
beyond. You can also see across the Three Lakes Region all the way to the Jura mountains.
Be sure to climb up the tower - it's free, and the views improve with every
step. Several trails around the mountain offer leisurely hikes through flowery
meadows and into thick forests.
In
the winter, the mountain offers kids' skiing and toboggan runs. Finally, after
all that activity, choose from one of several venues and enjoy a high quality
meal right on the mountain. The Gurtenfestival, a music festival, is held
every year in the middle of July. The Gurten is easily accessible from the
train station via buses or trams, but don't miss the chance to ride the
century-old funicular up the mountain.
11. Bundeshaus
Bern's
Renaissance-style Bundeshaus (Parliament building) stands on the edge of the
high ground above the Aare River. The domed central block contains the two
chambers of the Swiss Parliament, the meeting places of the National Council,
and the Council of States; in the east wing and west wings are various federal
agencies and the federal library. The entire place is open to visitors. Access
is slightly restricted when Parliament is in session. From the Bundesterrasse,
which rests on massive retaining walls, there are awesome views of the river
Aare below and the Alps beyond.
Just
outside the Bundeshaus is the Bundesplatz where an impressivevegetable and flower market takes place on Tuesday and
Saturday mornings. All around the square are cafés, shops, and Renaissance-style
buildings as well as the Banknote Museum. Just beyond is the Little
Redoubt, a popular viewpoint in Bern, with an orientation map pointing out
important sites. Next to this old structure are the gardens and a monument to
Oskar Bider, who made the first flight over the Alps in 1913. The Theaterplatz,
to the east of the Bundesplatz, is where you will find the Hôtel
de Musique, the Assembly and Concert Hall, and the Municipal
and University Library.
12. Natural History Museum
A part of the University of Bern, the Natural History Museum
was born in 1832 and includes more than 200 dioramas, including a 200-year-old
preserved St. Bernard rescue dog named Barry. The dioramas are impressive even
if they are outdated in a way. It is fascinating to see how museums were
constructed in the mid-1800s. Some of the preserved big game are impressive. As
are the skeletons of The Big Bone Show. Don't miss the Stones of the Earth
display where you can see Alpine gold, meteorites, and gigantic crystals. And
the beetle and evolution exhibits are educational for all ages.
Address: Bernastrasse 15, Bern
Official site: http://www.nmbe.ch/
13. The Bear Park
The bear is the symbol of Bern, and some bears are kept by the
city in a 6,000-square-meter compound, housed on an attractive slope just
across the Aare from the Old Town. Graced by an array of walking paths, many of
which lead down to the river, the Bear Park is currently being upgraded. The
bears should return from their temporary home in the fall of 2015.Official
site: http://www.baerenpark-bern.ch/
14. The Granary
This impressive
multi-use cultural space houses the City Theater's Kornhausbühne; the Kornhaus
Library; the Library for Design; the Forum for Media and Design; and two
renowned restaurants, the Kornhauskeller and Kornhauscafé. You might never
guess it, but originally this building was used for grain storage. The interior
is decorated with twelve pillars featuring the traditional dress of Bernese
women as well as representations of more than two dozen musicians dressed in
Swiss attire from the Renaissance period. It is like looking at a book.
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