Introduction
Bern, the capital of Switzerland and one of the oldest cities in Europe, still gives the feel of a medieval provincial city. With much of its medieval structures still intact and new contemporary houses built by the residents, Bern has a look of harmonious coexistence between old and new. The city was declared as World Cultural Landmark by the United Nations in 1983 and rightly so. Being the political heartbeat of the country and home to many international organisations, cost of living in Bern is high. The city also serves as the gateway to Bernese Oberland Region that encompasses the legendary peak Jungfrau, Queen of Alps.

What to do
Sightseeing options in Bern is limited and the real charm lies in the Bernese Oberland Region nearby. Spent some time in Bern have a look on the city architecture that still has this medieval feel and came out of it to experience some of the finest views that you can get anywhere in the world.

City at a Glance

Latitude 46º90 to 46º54'N Longitude 07º50' to 07º30'E Population 130,000 Language German, French, and Italian Religion Christianity Telephone Codes 031

History
The city of Bern was founded by Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen in 1911. It became the eighth member of Swiss Federation in 1353. The city saw its best during 14th and 15th century, when it wielded power all around, enlarged its territory and gained greater political influence. French troops invaded the Ancien Régime of Bern in 1798 and in the subsequent it became the capital of the Canton of Bern. The city finally became the federal capital of Switzerland in 1848. Like Zurich, Bern is also known the city that hosts many international organisations and conferences and that along with tourism has given the city much of its recognition today.

Weather and Best Season to Visit
Summer takes its place in Switzerland in June and continues through September. The weather is clear and climate is pleasant giving you enough reasons to go outdoors. Winter from late November to mid April is best for winter sports. Summer months are the best to visit Bern though heavy tourist traffic create high demand for hotel rooms making them costly. Reserve the rooms well in advance and be safe.

Attractions
Bärengraben Bear Pits
Located near Nydeggbrücke Bridge, Bärengraben is the place where bears, Bern's mascot, has been kept since 1420. According to the legends, the founder of Burne, Berchtold V of Duke of Zähringen named the city after killing one of the beasts during the hunt. The hunted beast was Bär (Bear) and the city was named Bärn that later became Bern.

Zutgloggeturm (Clock Tower)
The clock tower was built in the 12th century and restored in the 16th century. For the last 470 years, the crowds gather around the tower four minutes before the completion of an hour to experience a mechanical puppet show.

Kunsthaus (Fine Arts Museum)
Situated near the train station on the banks of Aare, the Museum has an excellent collection of 19th and 20th century art from the different segments of artists starting from impressionists and surrealists to Kadinsky, Modigliani, Matisse, and Picasso. One very strong feature of this museum is the collection of works by Paul Klee, largest in the world.

Münster (Cathedral)
Built in 1421, this Gothic style structure has an elaborate Last Judgment carved over the main door and enormous stained-glass windows await inside. The cathedral has 300-foot belfry and if you cover the 270 steps, a great panorama across Bern and its river with the Alps in the distance is on grab.

IMPORTANT FESTIVALS AND EXHIBITIONS
Faschnacht or the carnival is the best period to spend in Bern with elaborate parades. National Day is celebrated on August 1 with fireworks not only in Bern, but most of the cities in Switzerland. Onion Market or Zibelmarit is held on the fourth Monday in November and this is the time when entire city comes under the siege of traders with their onions.

PLACES NEARBY
Jungfraujoch
Situated at 11,333 feet, Jungfraujoch has the highest rail station in Europe. The excursion from Interlaken's Estbahnhof it takes around two hours and twenty minutes to rich this place which as a stupendous view and extremely thin air. From the station, an elevator would take you to Sphinx Terrace viewpoint to look out over the longest glacier in Europe.

Basel
The art capital of Europe with 27 museums, Basel can be reached after a journey of around one hours from Bern. There is a 14th-century Münster (cathedral) with elaborately carved facade. Some of the interesting museums in the town are Kunstmuseum, Museum für Gegenwartskunst, and Kunsthalle.

AFTER HOURS
Nightlife in Bern is limited with few dance clubs that mainly caters to international crowd. Evening entertainment for the locals mean a drink or two at the historical cellars.

SHOPPING
Spitalgasse, Kramgasse, Postgasse, Marktgasse, and Gerechtighkeitsgasse are some of the main shopping streets in Bern. The city has six kilometre of waterproof arcades in the medieval settings that sells everything from antiques to flowers to art objects to fashion garments.

WHERE TO STAY
Bern is truly an international city with conventions and conferences going throughout the year. It is a small city to be a national capital and you would always find problems in getting rooms if they are not booked well in advance. There is no high season as such though Interlaken does have a high season in Summer when it is difficult getting rooms even there. Tariff is high any time of the year because of heavy demand.

WHERE TO EAT
Neighbouring countries of Switzerland have a strong influence on its cuisine, especially of Germany, France, and Italy. One ingredient that can be said wholly Swiss is Cheese and their around 100 variants of it. Fondue and raclette are some of the the specialities of the country that you must find on your table. There are dozens of speciality restaurants in the city that serve not only the local cuisine but the international ones also, the best bets are country inns on the outskirts of the city.

TRAVEL INFORMATION
Air Travel Resources
Bern-Belp International Airport is situated at a distance of 9 km from the city centre and connected by buses. There are direct flights to Amsterdam, Brussels, London, Munich, Vienna, and Paris from this airport. Geneva and Zurich airports are also at approaching distance from Bern and they are connected to the destinations all around the world.

Land
Bern is connected with all parts of Europe with high speed trains. Major destinations connected are Paris, Frankfurt, Berlin, Milan, Barcelona, Rome, Munich, and Amsterdam. Bern is situated on the European E4 network giving it wider access to other cities by bus and cars.

Local Transport
Walking is the only practical way of moving around in the town. For the day trip excursion to Gurten, you can use trams and for places beyond that trains are the most feasible way. Rambling tracks in Bern and the places around it covers around 155 km in all.

TRAVEL RESOURCES
Tourist Office
Bern Tourismus
Official Tourist Office of Bern
Railway-station, CH-3001 Bern, Switzerland
+41 (0)31 328 12 12
E-Mail: info-res@bernetourism.ch

Call Centre Schweizer Mittelland /
Bern Tourismus: +41 31 328 12 10

Banks
Insel Hospital
Freiburgstrasse
Tel: 031/632-2111

Bank and Money Exchange
Berner Kantonalbank BEKB BCBE
Bundesplatz 8
3001 Bern
Fon 031 666 11 11 Fax 031 666 60 40
Email: bekb@bekb.ch

Change SBB
im Bahnhof
3011 Bern
Tel: 0512 20 23 47
Fax 0512 20 42 93

UBS AG
Bärenplatz 8
3001 Bern
Tel: 031 336 21 11 Fax 031 336 28 68

UBS AG
Bubenbergplatz 3
3001 Bern
Tel: 031 385 41 11 Fax 031 385 47 41