Bern, Berne Switzerland: Travel and Tourism

Bern, Berne Switzerland. Travel and Tourism. Although Berne (Bern) is Switzerland's well-placed capital city, it gained this status due to its convenient location close to the very heart of the country, in Mittelland, rather than its actual size. Berne is in fact only the fourth-largest city in Switzerland, after Zurich, Geneva and Basel, although it does contain some extremely important Swiss landmarks. Berne is extremely proud of its enticing medieval city, which is so beautiful and important that is became listed as one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites many years ago. Many cobblestone streets and 15th-century terraced houses reside in this part of Berne, edged by a sharp curve of the River Aar, and surrounded by distant hills. Head to the main tourism office (Bern Tourismus) at the railway station for the very latest in the way of tourist information, where guided tours and a free accommodation booking service is also offered. Berne is famous for so many of its sights and important Swiss buildings. Of particular historical interest is the Zytglogge Clock Tower, which presides over the Old Town and features animated characters when the clock chimes, which always draws a crowd. Also known for its bear pits (bärengraben), bears have been an important attraction in Berne since the 1600s and reside within Dählhölzli Zoo. Other important landmarks include the 15th-century Münster Cathedral, the Houses of Parliament (Bundeshaus) and the Einstein-Haus, once the rather humble home of Nobel prize-winning scientist Albert Einstein. Read more