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Bern — travel, stays & events guide
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Bern, SwitzerlandOpen-Meteo forecast.
Bern city overview
Bern is a city in Switzerland shaped by its region, population, local economy, landmarks, climate and civic history. This overview summarizes the city itself: where it sits, what defines it, which places anchor its identity and why it matters within the wider country.
City facts
Known forBern, Capital city of Switzerland, Bern planning base 3, Bern planning base 4
RegionSwitzerlandSwitzerland
Time zoneEurope/Zurichlocal time
Founded1191historical origin
City history
According to 14th-century historiography (Cronica de Berno, 1309), Bern was founded in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen.
In 1218, after Berthold died without an heir, Bern was made a free imperial city by the Goldene Handfeste of Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II. Old Swiss Confederacy In 1353, Bern joined the Swiss.
After a major blaze in 1405, the city's original wooden buildings were gradually replaced by half-timbered houses, and subsequently the sandstone buildings which came to be characteristic for the Old Town.
Bern invaded and conquered Aargau in 1415 and Vaud in 1536, as well as other smaller territories, thereby becoming the largest city-state north of the Alps.
It was succeeded by the Christoffelturm (formerly located closer to the site of the modern-day railway station) until 1622.
On 28 November 1848, during the revolutions that year, a majority of the new Swiss Federal Assembly deputies chose Bern as the Federal City (seat of the government) of the newly created Swiss federal.
At this time, it once again became the largest canton of the Confederacy as it stood during the Restoration and until the secession of the canton of Jura in 1979.
No archaeological evidence that indicates a settlement on the site of today's city centre prior to the 12th century has been found so far.
By the 18th century, it comprised most of what is today the canton of Bern and the canton of Vaud.
The city was originally built on a hilly peninsula surrounded by the river Aare, but outgrew natural boundaries by the 19th century.
In antiquity, a Celtic oppidum stood on the Engehalbinsel (peninsula) north of Bern, fortified since the second century BC (late La Tène period), thought to be one of the 12 oppida of the Helvetii.
During the Thirty Years' War, two new fortifications – the so-called big and small Schanze (entrenchments) – were built to protect the whole area of the peninsula.
In addition, Bern had a more central location and was supported by the French-speaking cantons due to proximity to them.
A number of congresses of the socialist First and Second Internationals were held in Bern, particularly during World War I when Switzerland was neutral; see Bern International.
Worth seeing
Bern
Bern is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Capital city of Switzerland
Capital city of Switzerland is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Bern planning base 3
Bern planning base 3 is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Bern planning base 4
Bern planning base 4 is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Bern planning base 5
Bern planning base 5 is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Bern planning base 6
Bern planning base 6 is a practical Bern planning anchor: compare its location, transfer time, nearby hotel bases and event timing before you lock the day plan.
Stay overview
Compare Bern before booking Bern hotels. Start with the places you will repeat most, then check airport timing, parking, nightly price and event demand before choosing the final base.
Hotels & areas
Compare accommodation options in and around Bern by area, not only by nightly price. A cheaper room can become expensive when airport transfers, parking, attraction routes, late arrivals or event-week demand add time and cost.
Compare stays in Bern, SwitzerlandFlights & airports
Main airport TBC arrival plan
- Bern airport accessMain gateway TBC.
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Rental cars
Bern day-trip car use
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Compare rental carsTravel tips
Best time to visit
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Transport notes
Choose a base around the trips you will repeat most: airport, station, old town, waterfront, venue district or day-trip route.
Crowds
Prices can jump around festivals, conventions, school holidays, cruise days, ski weeks, race weekends and large sports events.
Booking detail
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Upcoming events
No upcoming Bern events in the shared event index yet.