Old City of Bern

Background

The Old City of Bern lies in the Swiss capital, on a peninsula ringed on three sides by the River Aare. Its landmarks are the long sandstone arcaded streets, the Clock Tower and the Prison Tower, and the bell tower of Bern Minster is the tallest church tower in Switzerland; of the city's more than 100 public fountains, 11 are crowned with Renaissance allegorical statues. The Federal Palace also stands in the old city. The Old City was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1983. Bern was founded in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen. After a great fire in 1405, much of the city was rebuilt in sandstone, and the arcades became the old town's signature feature. When the Swiss federal state was founded in 1848, Bern was chosen as the federal capital.

Local customs

• Walk and shop under the arcades
• climb the Minster tower for views over the old town and the Aare
• watch the Clock Tower's mechanical figures on the hour
• stroll along the Aare
• view the Federal Palace from outside.

Travel tips

• Pedestrian areas in the old town are criss-crossed by tram and bus routes, so watch out for trams when crossing the road
• tower admission is as shown officially. In summer you can swim in the Aare, but mind the current and follow official safety notices
• the Christmas market is lively in winter, and the old town can be visited all year.
• Bern railway station stands at the western end of the old town, so you can walk straight in from the station
• trams and buses cover every part of the old town.