Berne

The city of Berne {{IPA|}} (Bernese German Bärn {{IPA|}}, German Bern {{IPA|}}, French Berne {{IPA|}}, Italian Berna {{IPA|}}, Romansh Berna {{IPA|}}), is the "Bundesstadt" (administrative capital) of Switzerland, and is the fourth most populous Swiss city (after Zürich, Geneva and Basel).

Sights

Bern's city centre is largely medieval and has been recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site. Perhaps its most famous sight is the Zytglogge, an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets. It also has an impressive 15th century Gothic cathedral, the Münster, and a 15th century town hall.

Related Topics:
Medieval - UNESCO - World Heritage Site - Zytglogge - 15th century - Gothic

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Since the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit (the Bärengraben), which can be visited off the Nydeggbrücke. The Federal Building (Bundeshaus), dating from 1902, which houses Parliament and part of the federal administration, can also be visited.

Related Topics:
16th century - Bärengraben - Bundeshaus - 1902

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The Garden of Roses (Rosengarten), which allows a scenic panorama view of the medieval city core, is a former cemetery on a hill which was converted into a park in 1913.

Related Topics:
Roses - Park - 1913

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Probably the newest attraction of Bern is the set of fountains in front of the Bundeshaus. It was inaugurated on August 1, 2004, the Swiss national holiday.

Related Topics:
August 1 - 2004

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