Bern

Bern

Bern, also known as Berne, is the capital city of Switzerland. It is called the "federal city" because it is where the country's government is located. About 146,000 people live in the city, and it is the fifth-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lausanne. The nearby area, including 36 smaller towns, has around 406,900 people.

Bern is also the capital of the canton of Bern, the second-most populous region in Switzerland. German is the official language, but most people speak a local version called Bernese German. In 1983, the old part of the city was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its special historic buildings. The city is surrounded by the Aare, a big river that flows through the Swiss Plateau.

The city of Bern was founded around the year 1191 by a group of rulers called the Zähringer. In 1218, it became a free city and joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1353. Since then, Bern has grown into an important city in Swiss history. It became the official capital of Switzerland in 1848. Over the years, the city has grown from about 5,000 people in the 1400s to over 100,000 by the 1920s.

Etymology

See also Other names of Bern

The name "Bern" is not completely known. One story says the city’s founder, Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen, chose the name after seeing a bear while hunting. Others think the name may come from the Italian city of Verona, which was once called Bern in old German. Some believe the name might come from an ancient Celtic word meaning “cleft.”

The bear has been an important symbol for Bern since the 1220s. Records show that live bears were kept in the Bärengraben area as early as the 1440s.

The bear symbol is still important to the city today and appears on its seal and coat of arms of Bern.

History

Main article: History of Bern

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Bern.

Bern has a long and interesting history. Long ago, people called the Celtic people lived north of where Bern is today. Later, when the Romans came, there was a small village there too.

The city of Bern was founded in the year 1191 by a leader named Berthold V. In 1218, it became a free city ruled by its own people. In 1353, Bern joined a group of cities called the Swiss Confederacy. Over time, Bern grew and took control of nearby areas.

In more recent times, Bern became an important place for meetings, especially during World War I. The city's population grew over the years, reaching its highest number in the 1960s. Today, Bern is known as the federal city and the seat of the Swiss government.

Geography and climate

Bern is in the middle of Switzerland, a little to the west of the country's center. It is on flat land called the Swiss plateau, near the Bernese Alps to the north. Long ago, big glaciers changed the land around Bern during the ice age.

The city is on a hilly area next to a river called the Aare. Over time, Bern grew past its natural borders, and many bridges were built to connect different parts of the city. The land in Bern goes up and down a lot, with some places much higher than others.

The weather in Bern is mild, with warm summers and cool winters. July is the warmest month, and January is the coldest. Snow sometimes falls in the winter, and the city has many green spaces and parks.

Politics

Bern has a special way of running its city government. The city is divided into six districts, each with several smaller areas called quarters. The main government group is called the Municipal Council. It has five leaders who help make decisions for the city. These leaders are chosen by people who live in Bern and can vote. The leader of this group is called the mayor.

There is also a City Council with 80 members who help make rules for the city. These members are also chosen by people who live in Bern and can vote. They meet in a building called the Town Hall to discuss important city matters.

Demographics

Bern has about 134,794 people living there. Many of these people come from other countries, making up about 34% of the population. Most people in Bern speak German, but some also speak Italian or French.

Most people in Bern are adults. There are fewer children and teenagers, and even fewer seniors. The city has many homes, and most of them are used all year. Only a few homes are empty or used just for vacations.

Main sights

Bern's city centre has a layout from medieval times and is a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One famous landmark is the Zytglogge, a medieval clock tower with moving figures. The city has a large Gothic cathedral called the Münster, a historic town hall, and many covered walkways to explore.

Bern is known for its bears, shown on the city's coat of arms. You can see bears in the Bärengraben and at the Dählhölzli zoo. The Federal Palace, where Switzerland's government works, offers tours. The city also has beautiful gardens, interesting fountains, and many old buildings.

Culture

See also: List of museums in Bern

Bern is a lively city with many places to see shows and movies. You can visit theatres such as the Bern Theatre, Narrenpack Theatre Bern, Schlachthaus Theatre, Tojo Theater, The Theatre on the Effinger-Street, and Theatre am Käfigturm. The city has many cinemas. Films are usually shown in German, but some screens show movies in their original language with subtitles.

Each year, Bern hosts fun festivals and events. These include the shnit International Shortfilmfestival in October, the Queersicht film festival in November, BeJazz Summer and Winter Festival, Buskers Bern Street Music Festival, Gurtenfestival, Internationales Jazzfestival Bern, and Taktlos-Festival. There are also special fairs like the Zibelemärit, an onion market held each November, and the Bernese Fasnacht (Carnival). The Musikpreis des Kantons Bern celebrates musicians who help make the city's music scene great.

Sports

Bern has been a key place for sports events. In 1954, the city hosted the FIFA World Cup Final where West Germany won against the Hungarian team. The local football team, BSC Young Boys, plays at the Stadion Wankdorf, which also hosted matches for the 2008 UEFA European Championship.

BSC Bern is the main ice hockey team in the city, playing in the PostFinance Arena. This arena has also hosted big events like the 2009 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship and the 2011 European Figure Skate Championships. Other teams include the Bern Cardinals for baseball and softball, and the Bern Grizzlies for American football, which has won the Swiss Bowl six times.

Economy

Bern has many jobs in different areas. Many people work in factories, hospitals, schools, and shops. Others work in offices with money, computers, or travel.

Most people in Bern take buses or trains to work. Some drive their own cars. Many workers come from nearby places.

Education

Bern is a place where many people go to learn. It has the University of Bern and the University of Applied Sciences, along with schools that teach special skills.

Children in Bern start with one year of kindergarten and then six years of primary school. After that, they go to lower secondary school for three years. Some students continue studying, while others learn a trade through apprenticeships. There are many libraries in the city where people can borrow books and other materials to read.

Transport

Bern has many ways to get around, including trains, trams, trolleybuses, and buses. The Bern S-Bahn is busy and helps people travel easily. The city is part of a special travel network that makes it simple to move between different places using any kind of public transport.

Bern has many roads and bridges that connect different parts of the city. It is also linked to other cities by big roads called motorways. While there is an airport near Bern, most people travel to other places using trains or cars from the city’s main station, which is one of the busiest in Switzerland. The city is also friendly to people who ride bicycles, with special paths just for bikes.

Notable people

Public servants, the military and the church

Some important people from Bern worked in public service, the military, and the church. They include Conrad Justinger, a writer and leader from the 1400s, and Kofi Annan, who led the United Nations from 1997 to 2006.

Politicians and the landed gentry

Bern has been home to many politicians and members of noble families. Important people include Adrian von Bubenberg, a hero of the Battle of Murten in the 1400s, and Vladimir Lenin, who lived in Bern during World War I.

Science and academia

Bern has produced many scientists and teachers. Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity while working as a patent examiner in the city. Other famous people include Emil Theodor Kocher, who won a Nobel Prize for his work on the thyroid, and Anna Tumarkin, a writer and leader from the 1400s, and Kofi Annan, who led the United Nations from 1997 to 2006.

Politicians and the landed gentry

Bern has been home to many politicians and members of noble families. Important people include Adrian von Bubenberg, a hero of the Battle of Murten in the 1400s, and Vladimir Lenin, who lived in Bern during World War I.

Science and academia

Bern has produced many scientists and teachers. Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity while working as a patent examiner in the city. Other famous people include Emil Theodor Kocher, who won a Nobel Prize for his work on the thyroid, and Anna Tumarkin, the first woman professor of philosophy at the University of Bern.

Writing and acting

The city has inspired many writers and actors. Johann David Wyss wrote "The Swiss Family Robinson," and Liselotte Pulver is a well-known actress. Other notable people include Ulrich Boner, an early Swiss writer, and Yang Lian, a Swiss-Chinese poet.

Artists, painters and musicians

Bern has been home to many artists, painters, and musicians. Niklaus Manuel was an artist and leader in the 1500s, and Ferdinand Hodler was a famous painter known for his portraits and landscapes. In music, Volkmar Andreae was a conductor and composer, and Patricia Kopatchinskaja is a famous violinist.

Business

In business, Rodolphe Lindt founded the famous Lindt chocolate factory in Bern. Marianne Alvoni is a modern fashion designer from the city.

Sport

Many athletes come from Bern. Tanja Frieden won a gold medal in snowboarding at the 2006 Winter Olympics, and Roman Josi plays professional ice hockey for Switzerland. Other sports people include Guerino Gottardi, a former Swiss-Italian footballer, and Mirjam Ott, a retired curler and captain of the Swiss Olympic Curling Team.