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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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Hi Indrani!
I just wanted to say thanks again for submitting these awesome photos of the Swiss fountains to the BT Blog Carnival! This article has been included in the 10th BT Blog Carnival which was published today.
If you could retweet, stumble, or "Like" this edition of the blog carnival, I would really appreciate it. 🙂 It would also help people discover your article, too!
Thanks again 🙂
Nice pictures. Thanks.
Just incredible!
Very good photos.
Regards!
I guess, instead of spending a whole day inside at the Legal Institute of Medicine, I should have been out sightseeing. I did get to see quite bit but I miss a good deal.
We spent the night at our friend's home, near Fribourg, then stayed overnight at Interlaken, before taking a train on to Geneva for a night. Our last night, we went back to Zurich for a night where we had stayed on our arrival.
I went back again to see Werner another time, with two other forensic nurse friends.
The blue sky makes a great backdrop for the fabulous architecture and statues.
Another great tour!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Fantastic statues, around almost 500 years. Hard to imagine here where 100 years is considered really old.
1500's!! Oh my! Fabulous!
Hugs
SueAnn
Wonderful statues – and so old!
Wow, each of the sculptures are so rich in details and colours… amazing shots:)
wonderful!!! definitely unforgettable! esp the last one!
Very grand statues.
Wonderful images of the decorated fountains of Bern! The Old Town is really attractive!
The best sightings come Free 😀 Interesting shots! Each one of them showcases its own mood n a Masterpc in themselves.
These fountains are fascinating. Although that one may be a little gruesome, they are all very artistic and well done.
Wow.. that is a tad over the top. But 1545.. they hold up really well.
living city museum
Aloha from Waikiki;
Comfort Spiral
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My kind of place to visit and take a lot of photos! Great place thanks for sharing.
SWF
Oh, I love taking pics of different statues whenever I see one. There's always infos about them, like the ones you posted here. I so love the second one, looks so ethnic. And they're all beautifully taken.
Indrani, thanks for sharing these lovely fountains and statues. Great photos, happy skywatching!
Lovely pictures….well done.
Greetings, Joop
Gorgeous blue skies, Indrani, and the fountain are fascinating — particularly the last one!! Not sure I'd want to hang around there too late at night! I can imagine the effect it could have on children!! Superb captures as always! Have a great weekend!
Sylvia
Oh my! That one of the giant is rather gruesome. 🙂
Sehr schön liebe Indrani, danke dass Du mein Heimatland der Welt mit Deinen schönen Fotos vorzeigst…
Liebe Grüsse
Hans-Peter
Interesting statues.
Sky Watch at my Page
OMG, the last status could be traumatic to little kids.
My sky is here
Wonderful shots!
Happy sky watching.
Liz @ A Simple Life