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 expanded greatly, growing from about 5,000 people in the 15th century to over 100,000 by the 1920s.

Etymology

The name "Bern" has an uncertain origin. Local legend says that Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen, founded the city and decided to name it after the first animal he encountered on his hunt, which was a bear. Another theory suggests the city may have been named after the Italian city of Verona, known as Bern in old German. Recent discoveries, like the Bern zinc tablet, lead many to believe the name comes from an ancient Celtic word meaning "cleft." The bear has been a symbol of Bern since at least the 1220s, and live 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. In ancient times, a Celtic settlement stood north of where the city is today. The medieval city was founded in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen. In 1353, Bern joined the Swiss Confederacy and grew by taking over nearby lands.

During the Thirty Years' War, new defenses were built to protect the city. After a big fire in 1405, the city’s wooden buildings were replaced with stone ones. Bern became the de facto capital of Switzerland in 1848 because it was in a central location and not as powerful as Zurich. The city's population grew over the centuries, reaching its peak in the 1960s.

Geography and climate

Bern is located in the center of Switzerland, slightly west of the country's heart. It rests on the Swiss plateau, with the Bernese Alps nearby to the north. The land around Bern was shaped long ago by glaciers during the ice age.

The city sits on a peninsula surrounded by the river Aare, and has grown beyond its natural borders with many bridges. The city's ground is quite uneven, with some areas much higher than others. Bern covers an area of about 51.6 square kilometers, with parts used for farming, forests, buildings, and rivers.

Bern has an oceanic climate, meaning its weather is generally mild but can change a lot. July is the warmest month, while January is the coldest. The city sometimes experiences warm days above 25°C and occasional snowfall during the winter.

Politics

The city of Bern is divided into six districts, each containing 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, made up of five councillors who oversee different departments. 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 a population of about 134,794 people. Many of these people are from other countries, making up about 34% of the population. Most people in Bern speak German, with smaller groups speaking Italian, French, and Romansh.

The city has many families, with children and teenagers making up a small part of the population. There are also many adults and seniors. Bern has many homes, with most of them being used all year round. The city has people of many different religions, including Christian groups, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu communities, as well as 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 medieval clock tower with moving figures. The city also has a grand 15th-century Gothic cathedral called the Münster, and a historic town hall. Walking through the old town, you can enjoy long covered walkways, making it one of Europe's longest shopping areas.

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, which tells an old story to children. Bern also has many important buildings and museums that show its rich history.

Heritage sites of national significance

Bern has 114 places that are very 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 from the 1500s. 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 entertainment, 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 gay and lesbian 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 an important place for sports events. In 1954, the 1954 FIFA World Cup Final was held there, where West Germany defeated the Hungarian Golden Team. The football team BSC Young Boys is based in Bern at the Stadion Wankdorf, which also hosted matches for the 2008 UEFA European Championship.

SC Bern is the main ice hockey team in Bern, playing in the PostFinance Arena. This arena has hosted major events, including 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. In 2008, about 125,000 people had full-time jobs in the city. Most of these jobs were in the service sector, which includes jobs like selling things in stores, working in hotels and restaurants, and helping people in healthcare.

Many people also worked in making things, like in factories. Some people worked in farming or taking care of forests too. Lots of people use public transport to get to their jobs, while some drive their own cars.

Education

Bern has many places for learning, including the University of Bern in the Länggasse quarter, the University of Applied Sciences, and several vocational schools. Many people in Bern have completed advanced schooling, with a good mix of Swiss and international students.

Children in Bern start with one year of kindergarten, followed by six years of primary school, and then three years of lower secondary school. After that, they can choose to continue their education or start an apprenticeship. The city has many schools and libraries, offering many books and resources for students.

Transport

Bern has many ways to get around, including trains, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. The Bern S-Bahn is very busy and helps people travel easily across the area. The city is also linked to nearby places by many railways, with Bern's central railway station being one of the busiest in Switzerland.

Bern has good road connections through several motorways, and there is an airport nearby, Bern Airport, which mostly handles small planes and special flights. For most air travel, people from Bern usually go to larger airports like Zurich Airport or Geneva Airport. The city also 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 throughout history. They have made contributions in many fields such as politics, science, writing, art, and sports.

Some 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.