What do you know about the city of Bern (Switzerland)? Its sights are striking in its diversity, and the legends associated with them add bright colors. What was the basis for the name of the city? What is the history of its occurrence, and what is certainly worth seeing in this city - all this you will learn from our article.
Berne
The named city is the capital of Switzerland and the administrative center of the canton. It is located on the northern side of the Alps on the Aare River, in the central region of Switzerland.
About 140 thousand people live here. Bern is the main financial and political center, as it houses all the important government buildings and the central bank of Switzerland.
There are two legends of the name “Bern”. The first speaks of consonance with the word “bear” (Bär) - the animal that the founder of Bern killed on the first hunt in these places. The second - connects the name with the Italian Verona, since the city nobility was in close kinship with the Veronians. And the third, most likely legend, hypothesis speaks of the Celtic word “mountain” (bren), in which later the letters were simply rearranged.
History of the city
The territory of modern Bern was inhabited in the II century BC by the Celtic tribes. Then in these parts was an ancient Roman settlement. In 1191, Duke Berthold V founded the city of Bern. The duke did not leave any heirs, and his lands passed to Frederick II - the emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Bern has the status of an imperial city.
And in the XIII century, he received the right to self-government, thanks to a document forged by the monks of the Golden Charter of Bern. The charter spoke of the status of the imperial city and its broad rights.
In 1353, Bern became part of the Swiss "Union of Eight Lands." True, disagreeing with such a fate, he actively defended his rights for 35 years, after which he nevertheless gained independence, being the most powerful alpine city-state.
Bern: attractions, description
I must say that the image of a bear is an integral part of the city. He has long served as the heraldic figure of Bern, and was associated with him by the legend about the foundation of the settlement. The most symbolic place of the city is the so-called Bear Pit or Berengraben. This is a beautiful park with a moat where living symbols of Bern live.
The capital of Switzerland is often called the city of fountains. There are more than 100 of them, and most date back to the 16th century. Undoubtedly, these are the most interesting sights of Bern. Initially, they were built as water sources, but over time they began to play the role of aesthetic design of city streets - each of them tells its own story.
The fountain in honor of the founding of the city is made in the form of a statue of Bertold in medieval armor, at the feet of which a teddy bear sits. The Runner’s fountain, near the Niedegg Church, the Banner Bearer, not far from the Town Hall, as well as the Moses Fountain with commandments in the hands or the fountain of the biblical hero - Samson, will not escape a curious tourist.
Considering the main attractions of the city of Bern, do not forget to raise your head and up - on the facades of buildings there are sure to be entertaining sculptures symbolizing the kind of craftsmanship of former residents of houses.
Old city
In 1405, Bern was badly damaged by fire. They finished building the city only in the XVIIth, since then fountains and arcades have appeared here. Until today, the view of the capital has not changed much, and in 1983, the UNESCO organization secured the historical center, where almost all the sights of Bern are located.
Straight from the train station to the center are the chains of Spitalgasse, Marktgasse, Gerehtikaytgasse and Kramgasse. At the very beginning of Spitalgasse street is the Heiliggeistkirche church, made in the Baroque style and founded in the 18th century. The streets end at the Nideggbrücke bridge, where the main architectural ensemble of the city opens up to the eye.
Barenplatz (Bear Square) is the central square of the Old Town, it has the Kefigturm tower. And on the Kornhausplatz square there is a fountain with the terrifying name of the “Children Eater”, designed to frighten little sinners.
We cannot but mention such a landmark of Bern as Citlogge - a tower with an astronomical clock. Every hour, the figures come to life, showing tourists an amazing idea: a rooster crowes, a fool beats a gong, bears march, a knight strikes a bell, and a proud lion watches this action.
Protestant Cathedral
The architectural sights of Bern demonstrate a variety of styles from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque. So, in the south of the Old Town is a Gothic cathedral. Its construction began in 1421, but was not completed. They continued to rebuild it only in 1889.
The bell tower of the temple has a height of about 100 meters, and the main bell with a diameter of 247 cm weighs 10 tons. The bas-relief at the entrance of 200 large and small sculptures depicts a picture of the Last Judgment.
Inside the cathedral is very spacious. During the Reformation, artistic images were taken from him, but, fortunately, XVI century furniture and choirs were preserved.
The old stained glass windows of the cathedral depict biblical scenes from the Old Testament, as well as heraldry plots of the ruling families of the city. One of the most memorable stained glass windows is called "Dance" or "Dance of Death." It is intended to remind parishioners that one fate awaits everyone.
Conclusion
From the XII century, the amazing history of Bern stretches. This city was lucky with the sights. A delighted tourist will find here fountains decorated with unusual sculptures of the Renaissance, old cozy streets, magnificent Gothic and Baroque churches and fortress towers. And besides, living bears live in Bern!