Bern Old Town

Bern, the capital of Switzerland, has one of the best-preserved medieval old towns in Europe, a UNESCO gem wrapped in a loop of the emerald river Aare. Six kilometres of covered stone arcades line its streets, painted Renaissance fountains punctuate them, and the Zytglogge clock tower puts on a mechanical show on the hour, all in a warm sandstone that glows in the light.

History

People lived in the Aare valley in the Neolithic, the Helvetii settled it in the 2nd century BC, and a small Roman settlement near the Old City was abandoned in the 2nd century AD. Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen founded Bern in 1191 on a hilly peninsula bounded on three sides by the Aare, and legend says he named it after the first animal he met on the hunt, a bear; the town grew westward in stages along long parallel streets, each new wall marking a step, from the first town between Nydegg Castle and the Zytglogge to the expansions of the 13th century. After a great fire in 1405 much of it was rebuilt in sandstone, it keeps the layout it took between the 12th and 15th centuries, and it has been a World Heritage Site since 1983 (Wikipedia, Old City (Bern)).

What you'll find

• The arcaded streets - the kilometres of covered stone arcades.
• The Zytglogge - the medieval clock tower with its mechanical figures.
• The painted fountains - the Renaissance fountains along the streets.
• The Aare and the views - the river loop and the terrace over the old town.

When to go

Spring to autumn for the best weather; in summer locals float down the fast, cold Aare through the city, a famous Bernese pastime. The old town is compact and walkable in a day.

Good to know

It is the low-key, genteel capital rather than a big-hitter, and quieter than Zurich or Lucerne, which is part of its charm. It is small and seen in a day. Switzerland is expensive. The Aare river swim is only for strong swimmers, as the current is fast and cold.

Nearby

The Bernese Oberland and its peaks are within reach; the lakes of Thun and Brienz are close.

Key facts