Berne is Switzerland’s fifth biggest city, after Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lausanne, with a population of a close to 130,000 people, or 660,000 if the metropolitan area is also included. Built along the banks of the Aare River, Berne is slightly north and west of the center of Switzerland, on a plateau located about 20 km north of the Bernese Alps. A picturesque city whose center is still reminiscent of medieval Europe, Berne is one of UNESCO’s Cultural World Heritage sites.

 

 

History

Relative to many of Europe’s important historical cities, Berne is a fairly young city. It was founded near the end of the 12th century AD by a Swiss Duke – Duke Berchtold of Zahringen. When the Duke died without naming an heir, his city of Berne became an imperial free city of the Holy Roman Empire, meaning that it was ruled by Emperor Frederick II only, rather than a local feudal lord, and had official representation from the city in the Empire’s Reichstag, or parliament. By the early sixteenth century, Berne conquered some of its neighbors and became the largest city-state in the Alps. In 1798 Berne was occupied by the French, but just fifty years later, in 1848, it became the capital of Switzerland.

One of Berne’s most famous historical residents was Albert Einstein, who worked out his theory of relativity while he was working as a patent clerk in Berne.

 

Art & Museums

One of Berne’s most well-known sites is its Zytglogge, a medieval-era clock tower that has moving puppets. Berne’s other sightseeing destinations include its bear pit, which is currently being turned into a Bear Park for its bears; its botanical gardens, which contains a large number of alpine plants as well as a section devoted to tropical plants such as palm trees; and its historical buildings, such as the fifteenth century cathedral, the French Church, and Switzerland’s House of Parliament.

Berne’s museums include the Einstein House and Einstein Museum for science buffs; the Historical Museum of Berne for those wishing to explore Berne and Switzerland’s past; and Berne’s beautiful Art Gallery Berne, a large art museum which has been open since 1918.

 

Nightlife

Berne has several popular bars and clubs right in the city center, including the Kornhaus Keller, the Art Café, and dancing at the Silo. The Muehle Hunziken is a jazz house just outside Berne which often features world-famous jazz musicians.

Berne is also home to several theatres, such as the Berne Stadttheater, whose music is provided by the Berne Symphony Orchestra. Music lovers might enjoy the Camerata Berne, home to the world renowned chamber orchestra.

 

How to get there

The nearest international airport to Berne is in Zurich, located 76 miles away. From Zurich to Berne, it is only one hour by train, or a little longer by car. Alternatively, Berne is home to a regional airport, so it is possible to catch a commuter plane from Zurich or from Munich, Germany. It is also fairly easy to travel from other European destinations to Berne by international train.