Walking Tour of Bern: City of Fountains Capital of Switzerland

Bern is the capital of Switzerland and is commonly referred to by the Swiss as their federal city. It is located on the banks of Aare River. We planned our self guided walking tour of Brn with books from Lonely Planet and DK eyewitness.

There is a very interesting story about how the city got its name. Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen, founder of Bern, vowed to name the city after the first animal he killed on his hunt. And it happened to be a bear (“Bern” in German). Thus, since 1220s the bear has been the heraldic animal of the seal and coat of arms of Bern.

Walking Tour of Bern

We headed first to Bern’s Old Town. The town is oozing with past 800 years of history! Lots of old buildings, some of which date back to the 15th century, left us dazed. This medieval town was restored in the 18th century without making drastic changes to its original character. Since 1983, the Bern district has been on the prestigious UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.

Bern – City of Fountains

You don’t have to pay for all the glorious sights you see in Bern. With more than 100 decorated fountains dotting the streets, Bern is rightly called the City of Fountains.

These are themed decorated fountains. As you walk along the streets you can spot very colorful and almost life size figures, which you can view for free. You won’t miss them as you stroll along the curved cobbled streets of the Old Town of Bern.
Bern The City of Fountains Capital of Switzerland

Hunting out the fountains is one of the favorite things to do in Bern for children. So, if you are traveling with family and plan to do city tour of Bern arm yourself with a Bern Fountain map too.

It was fun to notice how each fountain was differently themed on Biblical characters, historical figures and folklore warriors.

walking tour of Bern

These statues were made in 1545. Life revolved around fountains during the medieval era.  These played the dual role of providing water to residents and also a meeting place for news exchange and social gatherings.

The statues are very colorful with distinct features. The walking tour of Bern is along the streets Marktgasse, Kramgasse and Gerechtigkeitgasse, most of the popular eleven statues are along these streets.

Bern fountain map

While all of them look good, one is bound to leave a deep impact in minds of children and adult alike. It is the statue of a giant snacking on a child and couple of children gripped with left arm as if to devour them later.

Walking Tour of Bern

Child eater of Bern Fountain

Zytglogge – Bern’s Clock Tower

This is another of interesting thing to see in Bern. Zytglogge, Bern’s clock tower, has tourists flocking around it at every stroke of hour.

It has such interesting characters, and they do all sorts of things from four minutes before hour. The bears go round and round, the bird whistles, the figure at the top rings bells. It is a sight to see which adults too enjoy like the children.

Walking Tour of Bern

Zytglogge – Bern’s Clock Tower

Einstein’s House

Along Kramgrasse 49 Street you will cross several cellars which were once famous for storing wine. This street is famous for Einstein’s house too.

Einstein stayed in Bern from 1903 to 1905 close to this clock tower. It is believed that the clock tower helped the great Albert Einstein hone his theory of relativity.

This was during the period he worked as patent clerk in Bern. Einstein surmised, while traveling on a tram away from the tower, that if the train were going at the speed of light, the clock tower would remain on the same time, while his own watch would continue to tick – proving time was relative.

self guided walking tour bern

Shopping in Bern Old Town

Though we had no plans to shop, we did pass through some of them lining the shopping streets Spitalgasse and Marktgasse during our Walking Tour of Bern. Beautifully stuffed shops, or should I say shops stuffed beautifully, I had the urge to pick them up. But the crunch of time and money made me surge forward. Like some streets of Bangalore some of Bern’s Old Town’s shops are housed in the basements of buildings.

If you are keen to explore more check out Lauben – Bern has around six kilometers of arcades – as they are known locally. Bern is home to one of the longest covered shopping areas in Europe. Also explore the outdoor market at Bundesplatz, Bärenplatz and Münstergasse.

Bern’s Historical Churches

Bern has number of historical churches with unique architectural style, grand interiors beautiful paintings, doors and stained glass windows. We spend some time praying in Bern Minster, the tallest church of Switzerland. Do take a closer look at its impressive door if you are there.

Self Guided walking Tour of Bern

Parliament Building (Bundeshaus)

Plan well and reserve if you intend to watch the parliament in session. There are free guided tours for this.

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Self Guided Walking Tour Bern Switzerland

 

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