Bern is a provincial city in the best sense of the word. Although it has been the capital of Switzerland since 1848, it is still a charming "town". In addition, Bern is the headquarters of the government, international companies and organizations and an important transportation hub. The uniqueness of the city is determined by a very well-preserved historical center. The Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Bern is just a medieval city in the Modern City Centre, surrounded by Aare river.
Before the trip, many tourists book a car in Switzerland online in order to get a favorable rental rate, see more attractions and not depend on tour groups. In Geneva, the cost of a compact class car starts from 18 euros per day, in Zurich - from 19 euros per day.
Sights
A good vantage point is the platform of the Cathedral Tower, which can be reached via 344 steps. From here you can see the ancient walls of the bastions descending steeply to the river, magnificent architecture, as well as boutiques, bars and small theater stages, charming streets that are best explored on foot. For the lazy, a well-functioning public service is available.
The medieval Old Town in 1405 was still wooden and not so long ago completely burned down during a fire. Then the wood was replaced with delightful sandstone to this day.
The portal of St. Vincent Gothic Cathedral, standing in the center of the Old Town, depicts the scene of the Last Judgment. There are also beautiful stained glass windows showing the events of the Old Testament. Interestingly, they were created by local artists, and the glass used to make the stained glass windows is colored in a way that cannot be reproduced.
Fountains and arcades
On Marktgasse and Kramgasse streets, only 150 meters long, you can see eleven fountains of the sixteenth century with figures. The most famous is the big man's fountain, with a rather gruesome scene of little children being devoured by the giant. Six kilometers of arcades stretch along these streets, forming the longest covered shopping promenade in Europe. There you can also stop in front of the 1530 clock tower, which was once part of the city gates.
Museums
Bern invites you to many museums. The most complete collection of Paul Klee's work is in the Zentrum Paul Klee Museum on the outskirts of the city. This wave building was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano.
The Museum of Fine Arts, in addition to the works of Paul Klee, displays paintings by Italian and Swiss masters, as well as Cezanne, Matisse and Picasso. In the Bern Historical Museum, you can see the bas-relief of the death of Niklaus Manuel and the treasures of the Habsburgs. There is also the Swiss Alpine Museum or the Museum of Communications.
The highlight is a visit to Albert Einstein's house on Kramgasse, or rather, his two-room apartment. It was there that the outstanding scientist created the theory of relativity in 1905.