The capital of the canton of the same name in Switzerland is considered the fifth largest city in the state, however, in terms of the number of ancient monuments and art objects, it strives to be equal to the leaders. It was founded in 1191, and since then bears have remained its constant symbols, talismans, business cards. Images of clubfoot are found here at every turn: in the interiors and exteriors of houses, pastry shops and restaurants, parks and museums.

Bern Cathedral

The temple is called the gothic standard, however, elements of the late Renaissance are also noticeable in its interior. The Protestant Cathedral is the tallest in the confederation compared to similar buildings. The height of its bell tower is over 100 meters. The weight of the main bell of the temple: 10 tons. Previously, there was a chapel and a church on the site of the building. The cathedral began to be erected in 1421 and completed at the end of the 19th century, which, of course, was reflected in its external and internal decoration.

The interior of the temple is strict, ascetic. Its main relics are colored stained-glass windows of the 15th century and wooden church furniture of the 16th century. The main motives of images, elements of the decor of the temple: the short duration of human life, the equality of all people before death. The world-famous bas-reliefs located at the entrance to the building, where 47 large and 170 small statues are reminiscent of the Last Judgment, are dedicated to these topics.

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Church of St. Peter and Paul

The Catholic Church was built in the second half of the 19th century. When you look at it, you get the feeling that a time machine has transferred part of a quarter of a Swiss city to medieval France. Two styles intertwined in the exterior of the temple: Romanesque and early Gothic. The dominant religion in this region of Switzerland is Protestantism. The local Catholic community has done everything possible to make the new temple the pride of the city.

There are 3 bells on the belfry of the church, each of them has a special sound. In the temple you can see colored stained-glass windows, the original painting of the choirs. Some of the elements of its decor were created in the 20th century according to the canons of Art Nouveau, which adds a touch of conciseness to the interior. The church is open to the public, and an organ made more than 130 years ago sounds during divine services.

Church of the Holy Spirit

The temple is considered Protestant. However, its history and activities are connected with the Catholic Order of Hospitallers, therefore its main mission is to take care of the sick and the poor. The architecture of the church is distinguished by grace. The building was erected according to the canons of the Baroque, but its interior decoration is very strict and fully corresponds to the spirit of Protestantism.

Since 1729, divine services have been constantly held in the temple. The church serves as a cultural center: it hosts excursions, concerts of sacred music. A well-known landmark of the building: 14 sandstone columns. Believers consider these stone elements to be healing. Sandstone has a beneficial effect on the work of muscles, the musculoskeletal system. It is not surprising that after visiting the church, many feel rested, cheerful, full of energy.

Albert Einstein House Museum

The great physicist lived in the house for 2 years with his second wife. Einstein's first son was born in the building. Today, all 2 floors of the house have become a museum dedicated to the genius and his family. It is here that the annual presentation of the Einstein medal takes place, world-famous scientists give public lectures on physics, astronomy, and computer technology.

The atmosphere of the beginning of the 20th century is completely recreated in the genius's apartment, when an unknown 26-year-old employee of the patent office created the theory of relativity, which turned people's usual idea of the world upside down. Most of the interior items were in the house at that time: a spiral staircase, a desk, a clock, a sideboard, a sofa… Exhibition halls occupy the top floor of the building. In these rooms you can see a collection of Einstein's works and a documentary about him.

Unprotected

The bear is not only a symbol of Russia. In Switzerland, in every locality there are sights associated with clubfoot. The Berengraben is an artificial bear moat. Previously, there were wild animals in it. In the last century, the Potapyches were relocated to a nearby park. Barengraben today is associated with residents and visitors of the city primarily with him.

In the park you can see cubs and adult bears (including those brought from Russia). It has created conditions close to the natural habitat of animals, and the old site has been turned into an open-air museum. The ancient building is visited by those who want to feel the spirit of medieval Europe. The height of the stone walls here is very impressive, it is impossible to get out of the pit without outside help. It is easy to imagine what risk the daredevils who descended into it were exposed to.

Old city

A significant part of the buildings in this area of Bern was built in the XIII-XIV centuries. The first buildings appeared here about 1000 years ago, and the settlements were on the territory already in the Neolithic era. The most famous buildings of the Old Town: the cathedral, the medieval clock tower, the active bridge. There are over 100 fountains in this area, each of them is a real work of art.

Walking through the Old City reminds of the times when it turned into an impregnable fortress, but the ancient buildings look very cozy. In medieval houses there are restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops, pastry shops. In the Old Town you can try local cuisine, meet European, American, Asian movie stars who adore the authentic Bernese atmosphere.

Park Gurten

Height of Mount Gurten: over 800 meters. The park of the same name occupies its top and slopes. Sledges, skis, bicycles, roller skates are the main means of transportation here. Cars are closed to the mountain. A funicular runs from the foot to its top and back. On the territory of the park there is a miniature railway for children, there is a paddock for yaks where you can admire animals in their natural habitat.

The infrastructure of the recreation area includes a hotel, a concert hall, a swimming pool. Its viewing platforms are always popular, from where you can see the peaks of the neighboring mountains and Bern. One of the main tasks of the park is to promote the culture of the peoples inhabiting Switzerland. It houses numerous cafes and restaurants serving national cuisine. In summer, Gurten turns into a venue for music festivals. Exhibitions and conferences are held on its territory year-round.

Citglogge

The clock tower is located in the old part of the city. Souvenirs with her image are considered the most popular in Europe. An amazing building was erected in the XIII century exclusively for the defense of the city. The clock on the tower appeared 200 years later (when it had already been a city prison). Since that time, sculptures “come to life” here every hour for 4 minutes to remind you of the inexorable run of time.

Ancient deities, heroes of folk tales, animals (including the bear, the symbol of the city) move rhythmically. The clock strikes every 60 and 15 minutes. An important part of the ancient mechanism is the astrolabe, thanks to which you can find out the exact phase of the moon, the zodiac sign that patronizes the lunar day. The clock allows you to feel in the Middle Ages, when people believed: the Earth is in the center of the Universe, and the Sun, planets and constellations revolve around it.

federal palace

This building houses the Swiss government, which does not prevent it from being a popular tourist attraction. The only thing is that there may be problems with permission for photo and video shooting. This is due not to the secrecy regime, but to the presence of valuable exhibits on the territory of the palace. For tourists, it has a special gallery where you can watch parliamentary sessions. The building was erected in the late XIX – early XX century.

Its decoration uses local materials, marble, valuable tree species. The pride of the palace are colored stained-glass windows, wall and ceiling mosaics, glass decor elements, wooden carvings, and numerous bronze statues. Among its rarities are a panel depicting the main Christian virtues and two bronze bears holding the state emblem in their paws.

Paul Klee Center

It is named after the famous artist, whose works became the basis of the art object's funds. The creators of the center – members of the Klee family – donated the master's works to the city. The artist's surname is symbolic for the European avant-garde. His work is multifaceted: it combines the features of constructivism and expressionism, the desire to stand out from the crowd and completely dissolve in the beauty of nature.

The building of the center is very unusual: most of its exposition halls are located underground. The funds contain about 4,000 works by the artist. The expositions are constantly updated. A few visits a year are enough to see most of his collection. The center is an active concert venue. Children's cultural programs are an important part of his work.

Historical Museum

It is considered the second largest in the state, where various expositions traditionally occupy huge areas. It traces its history back to the Antiquarian Museum, whose small collection became the starting point for the creation of a collection of 500,000 antiques. Collections were replenished in different ways. The Burgundian tapestries, for which many European tourists specially come to Bern, were captured as war trophies in the 15th century.

Oriental antiques were presented to the city by the famous traveler Henri Moser. Today, valuable exhibits are stored in a three-story building; they give visitors an idea of the life of the city in different historical eras. The complex is very international: it hosts exhibitions dedicated to the life, work, activities of famous Swiss and residents of other states. Its halls display rarities dedicated to the history of Asia, Africa, Australia, and America.

Rose Garden

The famous landscape monument dates its history back to the 18th century. At the moment, over 200 elite varieties of roses of various colors and shades grow on its territory. The park was opened on the site of an abandoned city cemetery, whose site was turned into an oasis of beauty by the Bernese.

In the center of the recreational area is an artificial pond. The park is famous not only for roses, but also for its collections of irises and rhododendrons. There are no noisy crowds of tourists. Citizens and guests of the city come to the garden (which is open around the clock) to take a break from the hustle and bustle, sit on the benches, admire the magnificent views of Bern from the height of the hill.

Art Museum

Considered the oldest in Switzerland. It belongs to the state. The history of his first collections, whose items can still be seen today, began in the 19th century with copies of ancient sculptures. Gradually, they began to add drawings, watercolors by various artists, and over two centuries a collection was assembled, which has no equal in the world.

The museum contains works by Italian masters of the Renaissance, it has many masterpieces of art that previously belonged to European imperial, royal, princely dynasties. The collection is constantly updated. An important part of it are the works of Dali, Picasso, Modigliani, Cezanne, Kandinsky. In addition to paintings, sculptures, watercolors, graphics, a lot of unique photographs are presented here.

Fountain “Eater of Children”

The architectural monument is a frightening sight and, frankly, the small inhabitants of the city do not favor it. The Bernese themselves find it difficult to say exactly which cannibal is depicted on the fountain: either the ancient god Kronos dressed in local clothes, or a cardinal who lost several wars, or the brother of one of the dukes, who surpassed the famous bloody Lady Bathory in his cruelty.

For more than 400 years, parents have brought their children to this fountain to explain what punishment awaits disobedient children. Today, services that protect the rights of young citizens in the state will not allow adults to do this. And the fountain still works in the city as a reminder of the Middle Ages and the mystery of its main sculpture.

Fountain “Samson”

Initially, the fountain was wooden, then all its elements were replaced with those made of stone. The construction was erected in the 16th century; the butchers' guild donated funds for the appearance of a new attraction in the city. The fountain is for the Bernese the personification of strength. Samson tears the lion's mouth, thus symbolizing the strength of his spirit, and not just magnificent physical data.

The sculpture of the biblical character is placed on a pedestal, around which there is a stone pool with the purest drinking water. The figure of Samson is an exact copy of the original medieval sculpture. The second one is now kept in the Bernese Historical Museum due to the fact that even in quiet Switzerland there is a problem of protecting monuments from vandal encroachments.

Fountain “Justice”

The fountain was built in the 16th century. From similar monuments of antiquity, “Justice” differs in that it looks today as on the day of its opening. More precisely: after replacing wooden elements with stone ones. “Justice” was never moved to another place and was not rebuilt to suit the new political realities. The fountain was destroyed by vandals, after which the Bernese painstakingly restored the building in parts.

The central figure of the architectural composition: the goddess of justice located on a pedestal (the original sculpture is kept in the historical museum). Her clothes are reminiscent of the women's fashion of the early Middle Ages, Renaissance and antiquity at the same time. The golden armor of Justice shines in the sun. A bandage is placed over the eyes of the goddess. Justitia holds a sword in her hands, and busts of earthly rulers are located at her feet. The sculptural composition is surrounded by a swimming pool with the purest artesian water.

Alpine Museum

Opened at the beginning of the last century, its collection is distinguished by its scale and versatility. The building for funds and expositions was built a little later (in the 30s). Today it is recognized as a cultural monument of national importance. The collections include about 200 thousand items, including antiques, photographs, engravings, and art canvases. All of its exhibits are dedicated to the Swiss Alps and the work of famous people who sang the beauty of the mountains in their works.

In the museum you can learn a lot about the geological structure and fauna of the Alps. He is the owner of the world's largest collection of geological volumetric maps. There is a cinema hall on the territory of the building, where a documentary film about women climbers is often shown. The museum offers special children's interactive programs for young visitors. It has a souvenir shop and a restaurant serving local cuisine.

Kleine Schanze Park

A respectable park in the 80s of the last century was a very hot place, but the city authorities managed to put things in order here. Previously, there were military structures on this territory that protected the city from sudden enemy attacks. The fortifications are partially preserved, and in their place there is a popular observation deck, which offers stunning views of Bern and the Alps.

The park is cozy at any time of the year. Its main attractions are lakes, numerous alleys. Kleine Schanze is preferred by lovers of silence and hiking, but it regularly turns into a huge concert venue where Swiss music sounds. There are playgrounds for young visitors in the park.

Botanical Garden

The garden dates back to the 18th century, and the locals claim that it is at least 200 years older. If you believe the documents: the landscape monument of the same name arose only at the end of the 19th century. The Swiss are famous for their accuracy and punctuality, but the frequent “moving” of the garden clearly confused the Bernese. An important point: children are not allowed into the territory of many garden greenhouses. This is due to the fact that they contain very rare plants.

Today, the garden occupies 2 hectares, where 7 huge greenhouses operate. Its collection includes about 6 thousand species of plants, including exotic ones. A special section of the park is dedicated to representatives of the flora of the Alps. For fans of tropical cultures, the Palm House is open here. In the garden, you can watch the work of scientists and environmentalists.

Tram Museum

In size, it is clearly inferior to Zurich, but the Bernese consider their museum the most interesting in Switzerland. The main value of the collection: unique photo collections. Among its exhibits there are equipment, trams, but it is the photographs that capture the history of the development of transport that attract visitors here.

The most valuable items in the collection date back to the 1960s. The museum has its own transport, including two operating trams. In the new century, significant changes took place in his collection: it was replenished with buses and cars. There is a club of lovers of ancient technology.

Dahlhölzli Zoo

The zoo is small, but has a cozy atmosphere. It has created comfortable living conditions for representatives of the animal world. A favorite place for walks among visitors to the zoo is a pond where you can admire flamingos. Lynxes, bears, seals, wolves, musk oxen, bison, and reindeer live in spacious enclosures. Monkeys are recognized as the real favorites of the local children.

Crocodiles also feel quite comfortable in alpine conditions. The zoo has all the conditions for a family holiday, its infrastructure is not limited to a playground. A separate part of the territory is intended for picnics. The program of the zoo provides group thematic excursions for children and adults.

Museum of Natural History

Founded in 1832. Over 100 thousand people visit it every year. His dioramas are known far beyond the borders of Switzerland. The collections of skeletons of domestic and wild animals are considered the largest in the world. Here you can learn a lot about the development of biological species on Earth, see gold bars, rare minerals found in the Alps.

The collection of stuffed animals is considered one of the best in the Old and New Worlds. It is here that you can see the figure of the famous dog Barry, who saved over 40 people in the Alps. The section on sexuality provides visual information about the reproduction of representatives of the animal world. A special place among the exhibits is dedicated to death. Among the rarities is a mask specially made for the hit sci-fi movie Alien.

Elfenau

The history of the famous estate is closely connected with Russia. The park belonged to representatives of the Romanov dynasty. It is perfectly preserved, but lovers of antiquity still grumblingly remark that Elfenau looked better in the 19th century. The park is named after elves. Today, it operates a municipal nursery, whose greenhouses are filled with flowers from all over the world.

The house, which is the heart of the protected area, was built near the river bay. The building, erected in the Baroque style, perfectly harmonizes with the beauty of the surrounding nature. In it you can see the authentic things of the Grand Duchess Anna Feodorovna. Elfenau is famous for its water springs and pavilions. One of its famous attractions: an artificial grotto for romantic dates, where the waterfall is located.

Museum of Communication

The main theme of all his expositions is the types of communication and its role in the human world. It was opened in the last century, but its history began earlier. The start of the new project was a collection of postage stamps and documents that tell about the history of the formation of the Swiss state postal service. The first “place of residence” of the museum was the post office, then a separate building was provided for its expositions.

Today, exhibits dedicated to the development of the Internet and computer technologies are presented in its halls. In the halls you can see giant computers and miniature tablets, various media equipment. The exhibition area covers about 600 square meters. As the locals joke with pride: more than half of them are occupied by unique Swiss brands.

prison tower

Once the building was part of a huge fortress wall, whose fragments can still be seen in the city today. If you think logically: the building is most correctly called the gate-tower. It combines the functions of both types of structures. On its facade are the famous clock: “The Greatness of Bern”. The tower got its gloomy name due to the fact that in the last century there was a prison in it, but earlier the gates performed mainly a defensive role.

Today, one of the famous Swiss museums operates in the building. It is also a popular venue for public events. Museum expositions located in the tower are devoted to the development of culture and business in the city. It is noteworthy that in the building there was still a place for a court archive and… storage of wine. The drink is intended for sale: it can be ordered in restaurants located near the tower.