History and sights of Bern

What do you know about the city of Berne (Switzerland)? Its attractions are striking in variety, and the legends associated with them add bright colors. What was the basis for the name of the city? What is the history of its occurrence, and what is worth seeing in this city - all this you will learn from our article.

Berne

The named city is the capital of Switzerland and the administrative center of the canton. It is located on the northern side of the Alps on the Aare River, in the central region of Switzerland.

About 140 thousand people live here. Bern is the main financial and political center, since all important government buildings and the central bank of Switzerland are located here.

There are two legends of the origin of the name "Berne". The first speaks of the consonance with the word "bear" (Bär) - the animal that the founder Berna killed on the first hunt in these places. The second - connects the name with the Italian Verona, since the city's nobility was in close family relations with the Veronese. And the third, the most probable legend-hypothesis, speaks of the Celtic word "mountain" (bren), in which later the letters were simply rearranged.

City `s history

The territory of modern Bern was inhabited in the II century BC by the Celtic tribes. Then in these parts there was an ancient Roman settlement. In 1191, the Duke of Berthold V founded the city of Berne. He did not leave any heirs, and his lands were transferred to Frederick II, Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire. Berne has the status of an imperial city.

And in the thirteenth century, he received the right to self-government, thanks to a document of the Bern's Golden Charter poddelannuyu monks. The charter referred to the status of the imperial city and its broad rights.

In 1353, Bern became part of the Swiss "Union of Eight Lands". True, disagreeing with this fate, he actively defended his rights for 35 years, after which he nevertheless gained independence, being the most powerful alpine city-state.

Bern: attractions, description

I must say that the image of a bear is an integral part of the city. He had long served as the heraldic figure of Bern, and was associated with him by the legend of the founding of the settlement. The most symbolic place of the city is the so-called Bear pit or Berengraben. It is a beautiful park with a moat where living characters of Bern live.

The capital of Switzerland is often called the city of fountains. There are more than 100 of them, and most of them date back to the 16th century. Undoubtedly, these are the most interesting sights of Bern. Initially, they were built as water sources, but over time they began to play the role of aesthetic design of city streets - each of them tells its story.

Fountain in honor of the founding of the city is executed in the form of a statue of Berthold in medieval armor, at the feet of which sits a bear cub. From the curious tourist, the Begun fountain, near the Nidegga church, the standard bearer, not far from the town hall, as well as the Moses fountain with the commandments in hand or the fountain of the biblical hero Samson will not escape.

Considering the main attractions of the city of Bern, do not forget to raise your head and up - on the facades of buildings you will find interesting sculptures, symbolizing the kind of craft classes of former residents of houses.

Old city

In 1405, Bern was badly affected by the fire. To rebuild the city was completed only in the XVII, since then fountains and arcades appeared here. Until now, the view of the capital has remained almost unchanged, and in 1983 the UNESCO organization has protected the historic center, where almost all the sights of Bern are located.

Directly from the station to the center are the chains of the streets of Spitalgasse, Marktgasse, Gerehtikitegas and Kramgasse. At the very beginning of the Spitalgasse street there is the Heiliggaistkirche church, made in the Baroque style and founded in the 18th century. The streets end at the bridge Nideggbrücke, where the main architectural ensemble of the city opens to view.

Barenplatz (Bear Square) is the central square of the Old Town, it is home to the Kefigturm Tower. And on the square Kornhausplatz there is a fountain with the terrifying name "Devourer of children", designed to frighten little sinners.

It is impossible not to mention such a sight of Bern as Tsitlogge - a tower with an astronomical clock. Each hour the figures on them come to life, showing the tourists an amazing performance: the cock crows, the fool beats the gong, the bears march, the knight strikes the bell, and the proud lion watches this action.

Protestant cathedral

The architectural sights of Bern demonstrate a variety of styles from Gothic to Renaissance and Baroque. So, in the south of the Old Town there is a Gothic cathedral. Its construction began in 1421, but it was not completed. They continued to rebuild it only in 1889.

The belfry of the temple has a height of about 100 meters, and the main bell with a diameter of 247 cm weighs 10 tons. The bas-relief at the entrance of 200 large and small sculptures depicts the Last Judgment.

Inside the cathedral is very spacious. During the Reformation, artistic images were taken from him, but fortunately, the furniture of the 16th century and the choirs were preserved.

The ancient stained-glass windows of the cathedral depict biblical scenes from the Old Testament, as well as plots of heraldry of the ruling families of the city. One of the most memorable stained glass windows is called "Dance" or "Dance of Death". He is called to remind parishioners that everyone is waiting for one fate.

Conclusion

From the XII century, Bern's amazing story stretches. With sights this city was lucky. The delighted tourist will find here fountains, decorated with unusual Renaissance sculptures, ancient cozy streets, magnificent Gothic and Baroque temples and fortress towers. And besides this, live bears live in Berne!