Bern

Bern, also known as Berne, is the de facto capital of Switzerland and is called the "federal city." It is the fifth-most populous city in the country, with about 146,000 people living there. The city is part of the canton of Bern, the second-most populous region in Switzerland.

Bern’s old town, a historic area in the center of the city, was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

The city is surrounded by the Aare River and has been an important place since ancient times. It was founded around the year 1191 by the Zähringer family and became a free imperial city in 1218. In 1353, Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy and grew into a large city-state. Today, Bern serves as the seat of the Swiss federal government, a role it has held since 1848. Over the centuries, the city has grown a lot.

Etymology

The name "Bern" is not completely known. A local story says that Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen started the city and named it after the first animal he saw while hunting, which was a bear. Some think the city might have been named after the Italian city of Verona, which was called Bern in old German. New findings, such as the Bern zinc tablet, make many think the name comes from an old Celtic word meaning "cleft." The bear has been a symbol of Bern since the 1220s, and real bears were kept in the Bärengraben starting in the 1440s.

See also Other names of Bern

History

Main article: History of Bern

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Bern.

Bern has a long and interesting history. Long ago, people lived north of where the city is today. The city was founded in 1191. In 1353, Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy.

During the Thirty Years' War, new walls were built to keep the city safe. After a big fire in 1405, wooden buildings were replaced with stone ones. Bern became the capital of Switzerland in 1848 because it was in the middle of the country. The city's population grew over time.

Geography and climate

Bern is in the middle of Switzerland, a little west of the country's center. It is on the Swiss plateau, with the Bernese Alps close by to the north. Long ago, glaciers shaped the land here during the ice age.

The city is on a peninsula surrounded by the river Aare. It has grown with many bridges beyond its natural borders. The ground in Bern is uneven, with some parts much higher than others. Bern covers about 51.6 square kilometers. Parts of it are used for farming, forests, buildings, and rivers.

Bern has an oceanic climate. This means the weather is usually mild but can change a lot. July is the warmest month, and January is the coldest. The city can have warm days above 25°C and sometimes sees snow in winter.

Politics

The city of Bern is divided into six districts, each with several smaller areas called quarters.

Bern’s government has two main parts: the Municipal Council and the City Council. The Municipal Council is the executive government, with five councillors who oversee different areas. The leader of this council is called the mayor. Elections for the Municipal Council happen every four years, and it includes members from various political parties.

The City Council is the legislative body, with 80 members who make laws and regulations. These members are also elected every four years and are not professional politicians. The City Council meetings are open to the public.

Demographics

Bern has about 134,794 people. Many of these people come from other countries, making up about 34% of the population. Most people in Bern speak German. Some people speak Italian, French, and Romansh.

The city has many families with children and teenagers. There are also many adults and seniors. Bern has many homes, and most of them are used all year. The city has people of many religions, including Christian groups, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities. There are also many people who do not follow any religion.

Main sights

Bern's city centre has kept its medieval layout and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. One of its most famous landmarks is the Zytglogge, a beautiful clock tower with moving figures. The city has a grand Gothic cathedral called the Münster, and a historic town hall. Walking through the old town, you can enjoy long covered walkways.

Bern is also home to the Bärengraben (Bear Pit), where bears live in a special open-air space. The Federal Palace, where Switzerland's national parliament meets, is open for visits. You can also see where famous scientist Albert Einstein lived from 1903 to 1905. The Rose Garden (Rosengarten) offers a lovely view of the city. There are many interesting fountains, including the Kindlifresserbrunnen. Bern also has many important buildings and museums that show its rich history.

Heritage sites of national significance

Bern has many places that are important to Switzerland's history. These include the whole Old Town, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with landmarks such as the tall Cathedral, the Zytglogge tower, and beautiful fountains. Outside the Old Town, important sites include the Bärengraben (Bear Pit), grand mansions, government buildings, and many museums such as the Historical Museum, Alpine Museum, Museum of Communication, and Natural History Museum.

Culture

Bern is a lively city with many places for fun, including several theatres such as the Bern Theatre, Narrenpack Theatre Bern, Schlachthaus Theatre, Tojo Theater, The Theatre on the Effinger-Street, and Theatre am Käfigturm. The city also has many cinemas where films are usually shown in German, with some in their original language and subtitles.

Each year, Bern hosts many exciting festivals and events. These include the shnit International Shortfilmfestival in October, the Queersicht film festival in November, the BeJazz Summer and Winter Festival, the Buskers Bern Street Music Festival, the Gurtenfestival, the Internationales Jazzfestival Bern, and the Taktlos-Festival. There are also fairs such as the Zibelemärit, an onion market held each November, and the Bernese Fasnacht (Carnival). The Musikpreis des Kantons Bern is an annual event honoring outstanding musicians in the region.

See also: List of museums in Bern

Sports

Bern has been a key place for sports events. In 1954, the 1954 FIFA World Cup Final took place there, where West Germany won against the Hungarian Golden Team. The football team BSC Young Boys is from Bern and plays at the Stadion Wankdorf, which also held matches for the 2008 UEFA European Championship.

SC Bern is the main ice hockey team in Bern, and they play at the PostFinance Arena. This arena has hosted big events, such as the 2009 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and the 2011 European Figure Skate Championships. Other teams in Bern include the Bern Cardinals for baseball and softball, and the Bern Grizzlies for American football.

Economy

Bern has a strong economy with many jobs in different areas. Many people work in jobs like selling things in stores, working in hotels and restaurants, and helping people in healthcare.

Some people work in factories making things. Others work in farming or taking care of forests. Many people use public transport to get to work, and some drive their own cars.

Education

Bern has many places for learning. There is the University of Bern in the Länggasse quarter, the University of Applied Sciences, and several vocational schools. Many people in Bern go to school, and there are both Swiss and international students.

Children in Bern start with one year of kindergarten. Then they go to primary school for six years. After that, they go to lower secondary school for three years. Then they can choose to keep studying or start an apprenticeship. The city has many schools and libraries with lots of books and resources for students.

Transport

Bern has many ways to get around. You can use trains, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. The Bern S-Bahn is very busy and helps people travel easily. The city is connected to nearby places by many railways. Bern's central railway station is one of the busiest in Switzerland.

Bern has good roads with several motorways. There is also an airport nearby, Bern Airport, which handles small planes and special flights. For most air travel, people from Bern go to larger airports like Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport. The city encourages people to ride bikes with special paths and a bike-sharing system called PubliBike.

Notable people

Bern has been home to many interesting people. They have made contributions in fields such as politics, science, writing, art, and sports.

Well-known figures from Bern include Albert Einstein, who developed his theory of relativity while working at the patent office there. Other famous individuals include writers like Johann David Wyss, author of The Swiss Family Robinson, and artists such as Ferdinand Hodler, known for his paintings. The city has also produced notable athletes, like Tanja Frieden, who won a gold medal in snowboarding at the Winter Olympics.