Bern

Bern – Places to See in the Swiss Capital

The first thing that first-time visitors of Bern notice is its beauty. The Swiss Capital Bern stands on a sandstone ridge and surrounded by the Aare that is flowing through a valley. There are bridges that connect the right bank to the newer areas of the city.

The old town has been well preserved with the shops and houses from the 17th and 18th centuries still standing today. This is one of the reasons why it has been recognised as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Site. The cobbled streets are bordered by covered sidewalks, which go on for miles. The lower levels of the buildings are cafes, restaurants, bookstores, and shops while the upper levels are apartments.

There are lots to see and witness in Bern the whole year round, such as the Winter and Summer Jazz Festivals; Gurten festival, and the Buskers Festival. There are also several theatres and museums for everyone. Walking around the Swiss Capital allows guests to see interesting places and things, such as the Zyglogge (Clock Tower) and its moving puppets. You can also see public fountains, towers, and old statues.

Another place to see in Bern is Kramgasse – most beautiful street of Switzerland. It is one of the major streets in the Old City. The street and its buildings are part of the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Found in Kramgasse is the Einstein House, which is a museum and former home of scientist Albert Einstein. The second floor of the house was where Einstein lived with his wife and son for two years from 1903 to 1905. The second floor shows how Einstein’s family lived during that time while the third floor shows his life story and work.

The Paul Klee Centre contains around 4,000 works by the artist that include Woman with Parasol, Houses of St. Germain, and Death and Fire. And the building itself is something worth seeing while you are in Bern. It was designed by Renzo Piano and takes the form of a rolling hill. It is considered as a masterpiece itself.

Bear is the symbol of the city and located within the city is The Bear Park that is home to several bears. It is found across the river and have various walking paths for people who want to enjoy nature with the bears.

And not visit to the Swiss Capital is complete without seeing the Bundeshaus, or the Parliament Building. It is found on the edge of the high ground just above the Aare River. It houses the two chambers of the Swiss Parliament. It is open to the public, but access is limited when the Parliament is in session.

As you can see, there are several places and tourist destinations to go to while you are in Bern. From the alpine panorama to the BearPark, the Swiss Capital has a lot to offer to visitors.