Bern

Visited Bern (伯尔尼) with my colleague on 10 Apr (Sat). Many have heard of Zurich and would assume that it is the Swiss capital. In fact Bern has been the federal capital of Switzerland since 1848. The word Bern is in German, while in French it is spelled as Berne and in Italian as Berna. It's easy to visit Bern where the main train station of Bern is located in the old town and all the attractions are within walking distances.

Bern Railway Station

Took an early train at 0837 hrs from Neuchâtel and reached Bern at about 0948 hours. The cost of this return 2nd class train tickets was CHF 18.20 (after discount from SBB ½ fare card). The railway station terminal is a large complex like other railway stations in Switzerland, with many shops such as supermarkets and stalls selling takeaways (left photo below).

The Tourist Center (right photo below) is also located inside the railway terminal. My recommendation is to visit this tourist center for a city map, especially for first time visitors. Opening hours of this center is from 0900 to 2030 hours daily (Jun till Sep period) or 1000 to 1700 hours on Mon to Sat (Oct to May period).



Old Town of Bern

Bern was founded in the year 1191 on a peninsula in the bend of the Aare river. From 1200s on, the city was expanded step by step. Since the 15th century, the city was progressively rebuilt and acquired its current characteristics. Bern's Old Town is the best-preserved historic town centre in Switzerland.

The historic old town in the center of Bern was listed as World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1983.

With about 6-km of limestone buildings and medieval arcades, having Renaissance fountains with colorful figures, as well as beautiful cathedral surrounded by picturesque rooftops, Bern is truly a gem of medieval architecture in Europe (photos below).



The old town was cobbled with long streets lined with red-roofed houses and picturesque arcades (photos below). The layout of its streets has remained largely unchanged since the early 15th century.



Prison Tower

Known as Käfigturm in German, this 49-meters tall tower has a steeply pitched roof with a slender lantern tower topped by a spire (photos below). It was incorporated into a wall that was built to the west as Bern expanded, and was the town gate from 1250 until 1350. From 1643 to 1897 the tower was used as a prison and since 1999 it has served as a centre of political discourse, being the venue for political seminars, meetings of politicians and exhibitions.



Zytglogge Tower

Also known as Zeitglockenturm in German, the tower is Bern's central landmark (left photo below). Built around 1218–1220, Zytglogge was the town's west gate until it was converted to a women's prison mainly imprison prostitutes in the 1300s. Rebuilt after the fire of 1405, a clock was then installed above the gate in the early 15th century, probably together with a simple astronomical clock and musical mechanism.

Its current astronomical clock (right photo below) was made in 1527 to 1530. The dial of the clock is built in the form of an astrolabe. It is backed by a stereographically projected planisphere divided into three zones: the black night sky, the deep blue zone of dawn and the light blue day sky.



The clock contains mechanical figures, including bears and a crowing cock, that begin their procession on the clock's east face at 4-mins before the clock strikes the hour (left photo below). When the great bell rings out every full hour, struck by a large clockwork-operated hammer, onlookers will see a gilded figure in full harness moving its arm to strike it (right photo below).



Bern's Water Fountains

Besides the medieval houses, another not-to-missed structure is the colorfully painted 16th century water fountains punctuated sparsely in the old town. Following were the different water fountains I saw in this trip:

• Piper Fountain, or Pfeiferbrunnen in German, is located in Spitalgasse street (left photo below).


• Marksman Fountain, or Schützenbrunnen in German, can be found in the busy Marktgasse street (right photo below).
  
  


• Anna Seiler Fountain, or Anna-Seiler-Brunnen in German, commemorate the women who founded Bern's first hospital (left photo below).


• Zähringen Fountain, or Zähringerbrunnen in German, is a bear in full armor with another bear cub at his feet (right photo below).
  
  


• Samson Fountain, or Simsonbrunnen in German, represents the biblical story figure of Simon subduing a lion (left photo below).


• Banneret Fountain, or Vennerbrunnen in German, is a fountain on Rathausplatz (right photo below). The Venner, or Banner Carrier, was military-political title in medieval Switzerland responsible for peace and protection in a section of a city.
  
  


• Lady Justice Fountain, or Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen in German, features a figure personifying justice (left photo below). She is portrayed standing in gracious counterpoise holding her traditional attributes: sword of justice in her right hand, a balance in her left hand and a blindfold over her eyes.


• Moses Fountain, or Mosesbrunnen in German, is a figure of Moses holding the Ten Commandments (right photo below). Moses is portrayed with two rays of light projecting from his head, which tells that after meeting with God the skin of Moses' face became radiant.
  
  

Historical Building Façade

Sculptures that are mounted at the historical building exteriors are also interesting sights to look out, ranging from mystical creatures such as Griffin at Guild of Weavers (left photo below), Lion at Mittellowen Guild House (middle photo below) to people from the working class: 'Butcher' figure at the Guildhall Building (right photo below).



Bear Square

This elongated esplanade has the appearance of a wide street rather than a square, particularly because it is seamlessly continued by another square. Bear Square, or Bärenplatz in German, is named after the bear pit once located there. Open-air markets are opened at every Tuesday and Saturday morning ranging from household products to flowers (photos below).



Parliament Building

The Parliament of the Federal Assembly, also known as Bundeshaus in German or Federal Palace, is a building in Bern housing the Swiss Federal Assembly (Legislature) and the Federal Council (Executive). It is the seat of the government of Switzerland and parliament of the country. Completed in 1902, the building is a listed symmetrical complex just over 300-metres long and is considered one of the most important historic buildings in the country and listed in the Swiss Inventory of Cultural Assets of National Importance.

Exterior Façade

The building stands on a cliff overlooking the Aare valley. Although it faces North onto Bundesplatz (left photo below), its most attractive aspect is from the South, especially from a bridge on the Aare (right photo below).



The building was designed in a bold Neo-Renaissance style (left photo below) and its total cost at the time was 7,198,000 Swiss Francs. The roof edge above the pediment is topped by the allegorical sculpture of 'Helvetia' representing independence in the center, with the 'Executive' on her left and the 'Legislature' on her right (right photo below).

Free guided tours of 40-mins into the parliament building are available on selected days in French, German, Italian and English. I was lucky to be able to visit during my visit as tickets can be given out the day before, therefore do check on their official website for the timing and reservation. Tight security checks were conducted to every visitor and no cameras or handphones were allowed to be brought in, however bag deposits are available for visitors to put their belongings. Do note that a personal identification document (e.g. passport) is required at the entrance of the visit.

Hall of Dome

The central part of the building contains a spacious domed hall. This Hall of Dome featured a sculptured monument "The Three Confederates" weighing 8-tonnes showing Werner Stauffacher, Walter Fürst, and Arnold von Melchtal swearing an oath of union. Four infantry soldiers guard the base of the statue where the staircase separates and they represent the four linguistic groups of the country. The stained-glass windows show four parts of Switzerland and the principal economic activities particular to each (left photo below). The dome itself has an external height of 64-meters, and an internal height of 33-meters. The mosaic in the center represents the Federal coat of arms along with the Latin motto: Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno (One for all, and all for one) in the center, surrounded by the coat of arms of the 22 cantons that existed in 1902 (right photo below).

Chamber of the Council of States

The Chamber of the Council of States is decorated by a mural painting by Welti representing a "Landsgemeinde" (outdoor meeting of all voting citizens) of Obwalden. This mural was painted by Albert Welti. The dates inscribed in the arcades are landmarks in the constitutional history of Switzerland (left photo below).

Chamber of the National Council

The Chamber of the National Council (right photo below) is dominated by a large fresco by Giron that represents the cradle of the Confederation (the Rütli meadow with the two Mythen peaks in the background). Stauffacher's wife and Wilhelm Tell are on the right and the left of the mural, respectively. Along the curved back wall, seats resembling choir-stalls are provided for the Councillors of State who come across to the National Council for the sessions of the United Federal Assembly whose principal task is the election of the members of the Federal Council (the Executive) and Federal Tribunal (Supreme Court).

Einstein House

Known as Einsteinhaus in German, Einstein House is located on Kramgasse No. 49 in Bern. It is a museum and a former residence of Albert Einstein. He lived with his wife, Mileva Marić and their son Hans Albert Einstein in this apartment from 1903 to 1905. Interestingly there is an image of Einstein on the second floor of the apartment looking out from the window (left photo below). This was where Einstein worked on the Theory of Relativity (right photo below).



Einstein's biography and his life's work are presented on the third floor (photos below).



The living conditions of Einstein and his family are shown accurately in the apartment with furniture from that time (photos below).



Admission was CHF 6 and opening hours from 1000 to 1700 hrs. Museum is closed on Sunday from Feb to Mar but open daily from Apr to 23 Dec period.

Bern Town Hall

The Bern Town Hall, or Rathaus Bern in German, is located just beside the Catholic church of St. Peter and Paul (left photo below). Built in 1406 till 1416, the Town Hall has an elegant Gothic façade. Since the 15th century, the Town Hall has undergone major restoration, however it still retains its authentic Gothic character, making it typical of Bernese architecture. The building is fronted by a double staircase with balustrades decorated with tracery (right photo below).



On the loggia at the top of the staircase are a clock and statues set on canopied consoles (left photo below). Beneath the balustrades are pair of stone reliefs featuring human figures (right photo below).



Around Aare River

After crossing the 19th century stone bridge Nydeggbrücke (left photo below) over the deep gorge of the Aare, the medieval houses together with the river definitely make good background for photographs (right photo below).



Let the following photos illustrate the charm of this UNESCO heritage town (photos below).





At the part opposite the Aastrasse, the flow of the Aare River gets rapid (left photo below) with thundering roar that could be heard miles away. Sometimes it can be relaxing just to dine alfresco above these rapids (right photo below).



Bear Pit

Also known as Bärengraben in German, the bear pit is located on the far side of the Nydeggbrücke across the river from the Old Town's eastern extremity. Brown bears, indelibly associated with Bern since the town was founded in 1191, have been kept in pits (photos below).



Due to constant protests from animal-rights activists demanded this attraction to be closed or reduced the number of bears, a new modern bear park has been built besides the old pits offering a more naturalistic surroundings and bigger enclosure (photos below).



During my visit, there were 4 bears living in this enclosure; Finn the Male bear (left photo below) and Björk the Female bear with 2 cubs (right photo below).



Admission to the Bear Pit is free and opening hours from 1000 to 1600 hrs (Jan to May period) or 0900 to 1800 hrs (Jun to Sep period) or 1000 to 1600 hrs (Oct period) or 1100 to 1600 hrs (Nov to Feb period).

Altes Tramdepot

Next to the bear pits is the Altes Tramdepotone or the old tram depot (left photo below). It houses one of the town's two helpful tourist offices, a restaurant serving local cuisine and beer brewed in the premises, and a souvenir shop. The Bern Show (right photo below) is presented in the tourist office where a visual history of Bern was told through a model of the city, slides and spoken commentary. Personally feel that the presentation may not be the most entertaining, but I've understood Bern better after this show. Cost of the Bern Show was CHF 3 which lasted for about 20-mins.



Simple Lunch along Kramgasse

Was walking along Kramgasse and noticed that many eateries are located there. Decided to have 'Migros Take Away' (left photo below) of Fish Fingers and French Fries (right photo below) at CHF 8. Taste was good as this was my first deep-fried meal since my stay in Switzerland.



Bern Minster

This is a splendid example of the German-influenced late Gothic style, Bern Minster is the most recent of Switzerland's great Gothic cathedrals. It was designed as a three-aisle basilica with fan vaulting, side chapels and a tower. Work on the cathedral began in 1421 and continued into the 16th century. However, it was not until 1893 when the spire was added, then the building was finally completed. Exactly at 100-meters high, the Minster is the Switzerland's tallest church and largest ecclesiastical building (left photo below). The tower is still inhabited by tower-keepers. Like the parliament building, the best view of the Münster is from a bridge on the Aare River (right photo below).



The three west entrances of the cathedral are located at the back of three large portals. Each of the portals is a different height and differently shaped and decorated (left photo below). The central portal is decorated with a series of statues that represent the 'Last Judgment' in Christian theology, where the 'damned' occupied the left half of the tympanum while the 'saved' are on the right (right photo below).


Church of the Holy Spirit

Known as Heiliggeistkirche in German, this church of the Holy Spirit (left photo below) is one of the largest Protestant churches in Switzerland. This church is able to hold about 2,000 people inside.

Casino Bern

This baroque-style building in the heart of Old Town has an ornate great hall and restaurants for hosting concerts or corporate events (right photo below).


Bernisches Historisches Museum

The museum is a seven storey Neo-Gothic building reminiscent of a medieval fortified castle (left photo below). Interestingly the pair of guarding animal is the bear, which resembles Bern (right photo below). The artifacts displayed in this museum are highly diverse. The pride of the museum is its collection of twelve Burgundian tapestries, the oldest of the which date from the 15th century. Among the most notable is the 'Thousands Flowers Tapestry' or Millefleurstapisserie in German, which once belonged to Charles the Bold, Duke of Burgundy.

The museum was closed when I was there at 5 pm. Opening hours from 1000 to 1700 hours (Tue to Sun).



Einstein Museum

Einstein Museum (left photo below) is located inside the Bernisches Historisches Museum where lavishly staged objects, writings and film documentaries illustrated Einstein's life and recount the history of his time. Animations and a virtual journey through the cosmos will help visitors understand and experience the fun side of Einstein's physics. Admission to this museum is CHF 18.

Schweizerisches Schützenmuseum

The origins of this Swiss Rifle museum (right photo below) go back to 1885, when the participants in a shooting festival decided to create a rifle section within the Bernisches Historisches Museum. The pieces now form part of the museum's present collection. Consisting of a vast array of guns, the collection illustrates the history of firearms from the early 19th century.



Schweizerisches Alpines Museum

Alpines Museum (left photo below) uses videos, photographs, dioramas, models, and paintings inspired by the Alp's magnificent scenery to display the geography, topography, climate and natural history of the Alps, and documents all aspects of human activity in the mountains.

Naturhistorisches Museum

With its roots going back to the early 19th century, Bern's Museum of Natural History (right photo below) is one of the oldest museums in Switzerland. It is best known for its numerous dioramas in which animals are shown in re-creations of their natural habitats, with emphasizes on wildlife of the Alps.



Westside Shopping and Leisure Centre

Located at the outskirts of Bern, opposite Brünnen train station, Westside Shopping Centre is a multi-facility with shops, restaurants, a swimming pool, conference spaces, residences, a hotel, fitness centre and a cinema. Completed in 2008, the complex is unique in design (left photo below): a crystalline in structure, a steel concrete skeleton supporting the centre's wood façade. At least 45 retail shops, 9 restaurants, and other services can be found inside this huge shopping centre (right photo below).



Took train back at about 2034 hours from Brünnen train station and reached Neuchâtel at about 2127 hrs.