Old City of Bern
Bern
The Old City of Bern, Switzerland, is a medieval city center built on a narrow peninsula surrounded by the river Aare on three sides. Established in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, it has retained its compact medieval layout despite a major fire in 1405 and subsequent rebuilding efforts. The city is famous for its sandstone buildings with covered arcades stretching over six kilometers, forming the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe. It houses Switzerland's tallest minster, numerous Renaissance fountains, and important government buildings including federal, cantonal, and municipal seats. The Old City exemplifies an excellent integration of modern life within a medieval urban core, earning it UNESCO Cultural World Heritage status since 1983. Its historic streets, such as the Zytglogge area, and landmarks like the Käfigturm and Nydegg Castle ruins, reflect its layered expansions from the 12th to the 14th centuries. The Old City also features a variety of cultural properties of national significance, making it both a living city and a monument of Swiss heritage.
Plan your trip to Switzerland with AI
Create a detailed itinerary in minutes. AI suggests the best places, restaurants, and an optimized route.
Tip: The best time to visit the Old City of Bern is during spring and summer when the weather is pleasant for walking tours. Visitors are advised to explore the covered arcades and fountains on foot to fully appreciate the medieval atmosphere. Purchasing combined tickets for museums and guided tours in advance can enhance the experience and may offer discounts. Early mornings and weekdays are less crowded, providing a more relaxed visit. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended due to the cobblestone streets and extensive pedestrian zones.
Interesting facts
- •The Old City of Bern features the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe, stretching over six kilometers.
- •It is home to Switzerland's tallest minster (cathedral).
- •The Zytglogge clock tower served as a city gate and watchtower and is a symbol of Bern.
- •The city was named after a bear, based on a founding legend involving Duke Berchtold V.
- •Bern's Old City is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site since 1983, recognized for its intact medieval core and urban planning.
History
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen, who chose a defensible peninsula surrounded by the Aare river.
The city grew in stages, marked by expansions in 1191, 1255-1260, and 1344-1346, each adding new streets and fortifications.
A devastating fire in 1405 led to reconstruction using sandstone, which shaped the city's distinctive architecture.
After the Zähringer dynasty ended in 1218, Bern became a royal and later imperial city, growing into the largest city-state north of the Alps.
The medieval layout has remained largely intact, preserving its historical character through centuries of development.
Place Guide
Zytglogge (Clock Tower)13th century
A medieval clock tower that served as a city gate and watchtower, featuring an ornate astronomical clock and mechanical figures dating back to the 15th century.
Nydegg Castle Ruins12th century
The remains of a small fort built in the 12th century to protect the eastern end of the city peninsula, marking the original foundation area of Bern.
Käfigturm (Prison Tower)1256
A fortified tower built during the second city expansion (1255-1260), originally serving as a gate and later as a prison.
Covered Arcades (Lauben)Medieval period
A six-kilometer stretch of sandstone buildings with covered arcades that form the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe, characteristic of Bern's medieval architecture.
