Bern is the capital of Switzerland. It lies just west of the center of Switzerland. The central building of the Federal Palace in quite impressive.
We came by train in June of 2016. Like the city of Lucerne, there is literally “a city beneath the city.” Plenty of shops and restaurants in the underground by the train depot. Open on Sundays unlike many stores in Old Town.
The name Bern may have come from a popular Italian city during the 13th century called Verona. It may well be from the animal hunted in these parts during the same century—the bear. You will see the symbol of the bear throughout the city.
Across the river Aare is a bear sanctuary. We were looking down from the bank when Kathie spotted a gigantic brown bear. She was so surprised.
The 1924 Bear Pit can still be seen where young bears were held and trained.
Old Town is where you want to be. We stayed at a very comfortable Best Western, Hotel Bristol.
We had a room with a shower instead of a very high tub. It was just fine for us.
Along our hotel corridor, there was a bicycle. They were advertising that in early July of 2016 the “Tour de France” was coming into town.
Every once in a while, the Tour goes through a country adjacent to France. We were lucky in 2008 to have seen the Tour de France come through Paris.
On another wall in our hotel was a number of pictures honoring Paul Klee. Who is Paul Klee now? He was a Swiss German artist that lived in Bern. He is known for paintings in Expressionism, Cubism and Surrealism.
Bern is built on an uneven plateau. You are either going up or going down the walkways.
There are a number of shops and restaurants located in cellars along the streets. This style was most unusual.
Window shopping was most interesting.
Artwork and sculptures, too, were different and unusual.
It was in Old Town that we came across the clock tower, “Zytglogge.” It was built in the early 13th century and served as a guard tower, prison and clock tower. It has become one of Bern’s most recognized symbols in Old Town.
In Old Town there is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland—The Holy Ghosts Church.
Outside the church is a large square. It was here where we witnessed people doing yoga.
One of the notable people that have lived in Bern is Albert Einstein. It was in Bern that he worked out his theory of relativity. His past apartment is open to the public as well as a museum dedicated to him.
For whatever reasons, we did not visit these places. We did, though, have a beer or two in a garden dedicated to Einstein overlooking the Aare River.
We ate at several places, all good. Obviously, we had to try Swiss Fondu again.
By the Bear Park was a popular restaurant called, “Altes Tramdepot.” We were seated at one of the better tables overlooking the Bear Park and river.
We were lucky to come across “Market Day.” You can literally buy anything food item or flowers you would ever desire.
