Bern, Switzerland

A foggy afternoon view

Bern is known as the most relaxed city in Switzerland and one of the most laid-back European capitals. It’s easy to see why: natural beauty – imposing ash and oak trees, steep hills and the Aare River – surrounds quiet cobblestone streets and quaint arcaded buildings and benches and fountains are scattered about to maximize lounging.

Winding road leading to Matte district

A snowy morning

Bern was a carefully designed city, built in the 12th century on a steep peninsula in a crook of the River Aare to ensure protection on three sides. Duke Berchtold V. von Zähringen was the mastermind.

Arcaded building

Over the next two centuries, Bern expanded. By the Middle Ages, the city was the largest and most powerful state north of the Alps. Then, in the 1400’s, the whole timber-built city burned to the ground. The city was quickly rebuilt, this time in sandstone.

A typical line of buildings

I was struck by how similar the buildings look. Turns out all of them were constructed in the local sandstone, which gives them the distinct green tint. In addition, all of them have arcades, which enables Bern to claim the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe (an impressive 6 km worth).

Unique buildings dot the city.

Bears are everywhere!

Bern’s emblem is a bear. According to local legend, a bear was the first animal the Duke caught when the city was being built.

Building details

Colorful facade

The Duke would be happy that the Old Town is UNESCO-protected. The architecture and street plan are pretty much unchanged since medieval times.

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