Things to do in Berne Switzerland
Start at the railway station (one of the most modern in Europe). In the pedestrian underpass you'll find the remains of the Christoffelturm, part of the wall of the town gates dating back 600 years. Taking the escalator to street level, you come out at the beginning of the Spitalgasse, a lively shopping street whose thriving department stores take refuge behind elegant old fayades. The solid looking arcades are characteristic of the architecture the city has over 5 miles of them!
Before walking down the Spitalgasse, notice the Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) on the left. Built between 1726-29, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful Protestant Baroque church in Switzerland. But to visit it you'll have to come 30 minutes before a service on Sundays as otherwise it's closed to the public. The first fountain you come to is the Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain). Berne's numerous fountains were almost all built in the 16th century and are as much a symbol of the city as the arcades, bears and red geraniums. The little bagpiper atop the column was probably by Hans Gieng, who designed many of the fountains.
Pass through the 300-yearold Klifigturrn (a prison tower) into the Marktgasse where you'll find two typical fountains; the first of hospital foundress Anna Seiler in a flowing blue gown and a little further on the Schlitzenbrunnen (Musketeer Fountain). Not so charming is the 16thcentury Kindlifresserbrunnen (Ogre Fountain) on the left as you come out into the Kornhausplatz. On a slender column the child eater sits poised to bite off the head of one victim, while others wait in his sack. Back to the famous Zytgloggeturrn (Clock Tower). Pass through to the other side and try to get there 3 minutes before the striking of the hour for a fascinating display of 16thcentury Swiss clockwork.
About 60 yards from the Zytglogge in the upper part of the Kramgasse is the Zahringerbrunnen (Zahringer Fountain)a warrior bear in armour with a tiny bear at his feetdedicated to the city's founder. Down the Kreuzgasse on the left you come to a little square where you can sit and admire the Rathaus (Town Hall), a lovely Gothic building (1406-17). The colourful Vennerbrunnen (Flagbearer Fountain) shows a Bernese standard bearer in full uniform.
Rejoin the Gerechtigkeitsgasse to get to the finest fountain in the city: the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Justice Fountain), an allegory of justice holding a sword and a delicately balanced set of scales with the Pope, emperor, sultan and mayor at her feet.
The Nydeggkirche (Nydegg Church), in the oldest part of town, dates back to the 14th century although the interior was completely renovated in 1953. Continuing downwards, the street levels out at the Lauferplatz, and directly in front of you is the Untertor briicke (1461-89), Berne's oldest bridge. On the left, the Lauferbrunnen (Messenger Fountain) honours a Bernese herald who had the audacity to reply to a French king's complaint that he didn't speak French, Well, you can't speak German!
Turn right after the Untertorbriicke and walk up the gradient to the Blirengraben (Bear Pits). If you're lucky enough to be in Berne on Easter Sunday, weather permitting, you'll be able to see the bear cubs let out with their mother for their first spring outing. Berne's late Gothic cathedral (Miinster) took centuries to build. Started in 1421, the nave was completed more than 150 years later and the tip of the filigreed steeple (nearly 300 ft. (90 m. tall) added in 1893.
In the interior the 15thcentury stained-glass windows are impressive and the Renaissance choir stalls magnificent. If you've only limited time and want to stay near the city, the Gurten is well worth the 25minute tram and funicular ride. From this high spot (2,815 ft.; 845 m.) above the city, there is a magnificent panorama of the Bernese Alps in one direction and Berne itself in the other.
Museums in Berne Switzerland and car hire
The best way to see Berne is to pre-book a hire car from the airport in Switzerland.Bernisches Historisches Museum (Historical Museum) at Helvetiaplatz 5. The mock16thcentury building, actually constructed between 189294, houses various collections from arts and crafts to furniture, but the most interesting is the treasure taken from the Duke of Burgundy in the Battle of Grandson (1476). Closed Mondays. The Kunstmuseum, Hodler strasse 12, is famed for its Paul Klee collection the artist was born and grew up in Berne.
For an overview of the whole country, go to Ballenberg, near Brienz, to the Schweizerisches Freilicht museum (Swiss Open Air Museum). Here you can see full size reconstructions of farmhouses, chalets and homes from all over Switzerland. Open daily between April and October.
The Bernese Oberland
A one day excursion from Berne can cover some of the loveliest countryside in the Oberland. Around the lake of Thun, in beautiful surroundings, are the towns of Thun and Spiez, and between the lakes of Thun and Brienz is Interlaken. This famous summer resort has huge Victorian hotels, nostalgic grandeur and an incomparable view of the Jungfrau. The Jungfrau railway line from Kleine Scheidegg (the train is actually inside the Eiger for half the trip) leads to Europe's highest railway station, Jungfraujoch (11,330 ft.; 3,454 m.), with wild and craggy scenery all the way up.
Before walking down the Spitalgasse, notice the Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Ghost Church) on the left. Built between 1726-29, it is considered by many to be the most beautiful Protestant Baroque church in Switzerland. But to visit it you'll have to come 30 minutes before a service on Sundays as otherwise it's closed to the public. The first fountain you come to is the Pfeiferbrunnen (Bagpiper Fountain). Berne's numerous fountains were almost all built in the 16th century and are as much a symbol of the city as the arcades, bears and red geraniums. The little bagpiper atop the column was probably by Hans Gieng, who designed many of the fountains.
Pass through the 300-yearold Klifigturrn (a prison tower) into the Marktgasse where you'll find two typical fountains; the first of hospital foundress Anna Seiler in a flowing blue gown and a little further on the Schlitzenbrunnen (Musketeer Fountain). Not so charming is the 16thcentury Kindlifresserbrunnen (Ogre Fountain) on the left as you come out into the Kornhausplatz. On a slender column the child eater sits poised to bite off the head of one victim, while others wait in his sack. Back to the famous Zytgloggeturrn (Clock Tower). Pass through to the other side and try to get there 3 minutes before the striking of the hour for a fascinating display of 16thcentury Swiss clockwork.
About 60 yards from the Zytglogge in the upper part of the Kramgasse is the Zahringerbrunnen (Zahringer Fountain)a warrior bear in armour with a tiny bear at his feetdedicated to the city's founder. Down the Kreuzgasse on the left you come to a little square where you can sit and admire the Rathaus (Town Hall), a lovely Gothic building (1406-17). The colourful Vennerbrunnen (Flagbearer Fountain) shows a Bernese standard bearer in full uniform.
Rejoin the Gerechtigkeitsgasse to get to the finest fountain in the city: the Gerechtigkeitsbrunnen (Justice Fountain), an allegory of justice holding a sword and a delicately balanced set of scales with the Pope, emperor, sultan and mayor at her feet.
The Nydeggkirche (Nydegg Church), in the oldest part of town, dates back to the 14th century although the interior was completely renovated in 1953. Continuing downwards, the street levels out at the Lauferplatz, and directly in front of you is the Untertor briicke (1461-89), Berne's oldest bridge. On the left, the Lauferbrunnen (Messenger Fountain) honours a Bernese herald who had the audacity to reply to a French king's complaint that he didn't speak French, Well, you can't speak German!
Turn right after the Untertorbriicke and walk up the gradient to the Blirengraben (Bear Pits). If you're lucky enough to be in Berne on Easter Sunday, weather permitting, you'll be able to see the bear cubs let out with their mother for their first spring outing. Berne's late Gothic cathedral (Miinster) took centuries to build. Started in 1421, the nave was completed more than 150 years later and the tip of the filigreed steeple (nearly 300 ft. (90 m. tall) added in 1893.
In the interior the 15thcentury stained-glass windows are impressive and the Renaissance choir stalls magnificent. If you've only limited time and want to stay near the city, the Gurten is well worth the 25minute tram and funicular ride. From this high spot (2,815 ft.; 845 m.) above the city, there is a magnificent panorama of the Bernese Alps in one direction and Berne itself in the other.
Museums in Berne Switzerland and car hire
The best way to see Berne is to pre-book a hire car from the airport in Switzerland.Bernisches Historisches Museum (Historical Museum) at Helvetiaplatz 5. The mock16thcentury building, actually constructed between 189294, houses various collections from arts and crafts to furniture, but the most interesting is the treasure taken from the Duke of Burgundy in the Battle of Grandson (1476). Closed Mondays. The Kunstmuseum, Hodler strasse 12, is famed for its Paul Klee collection the artist was born and grew up in Berne.
For an overview of the whole country, go to Ballenberg, near Brienz, to the Schweizerisches Freilicht museum (Swiss Open Air Museum). Here you can see full size reconstructions of farmhouses, chalets and homes from all over Switzerland. Open daily between April and October.
The Bernese Oberland
A one day excursion from Berne can cover some of the loveliest countryside in the Oberland. Around the lake of Thun, in beautiful surroundings, are the towns of Thun and Spiez, and between the lakes of Thun and Brienz is Interlaken. This famous summer resort has huge Victorian hotels, nostalgic grandeur and an incomparable view of the Jungfrau. The Jungfrau railway line from Kleine Scheidegg (the train is actually inside the Eiger for half the trip) leads to Europe's highest railway station, Jungfraujoch (11,330 ft.; 3,454 m.), with wild and craggy scenery all the way up.
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