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. As of 2024, about 146,000 people live in the city itself, making it the fifth-largest city in Switzerland after Zurich, Geneva, Basel, and Lausanne. The nearby area, including 36 smaller towns, is home to around 406,900 people.

Bern is also the capital of the canton of Bern, which is the second-most populous region in Switzerland. German is the official language spoken here, 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" has an uncertain origin. One local story says that the city’s founder, Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen, decided to name the city after the first animal he saw while hunting, which was a bear. Some believe the city may have been named after the Italian city of Verona, which was called Bern in old German. Recent discoveries suggest the name might come from an ancient Celtic word meaning “cleft.” The bear has been an important symbol for Bern since the 1220s, and records show that live bears were kept in the Bärengraben area as early as the 1440s.

The city’s name continues to reflect these rich and varied histories.

The bear symbol remains a key part of the city’s identity, appearing 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. In ancient times, a group of people called the Celtic people lived on a peninsula north of where Bern is today. Later, during the time of the Romans, 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 and areas known as the Swiss Confederacy. Over time, Bern grew larger and took control of nearby areas.

In more recent history, Bern became an important place for meetings of different groups, especially during World War I. The city's population grew over the centuries, 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 located in the center of Switzerland, just a little west of the country's heart. It sits on flat land called the Swiss plateau, near the Bernese Alps to the north. Long ago, big glaciers shaped the land around Bern during the ice age.

The city is built on a hilly area surrounded by a river called the Aare. Over time, Bern grew beyond its natural borders, and many bridges were built to connect different parts of the city. The land in Bern rises and falls quite a bit, with some areas much higher than others.

The climate in Bern is mild, with warm summers and cool winters. The warmest month is July, and the coldest is January. 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. The most recent elections for these groups happened in November 2024 and November 2020.

Demographics

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

In terms of age, many people in Bern are adults, with fewer children and teenagers and a smaller group of seniors. The city has many homes, with most being used all year and only a few being empty or for vacation.

Main sights

Bern's city centre has a layout that dates back to medieval times and has been named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. One of its most famous landmarks is the Zytglogge, a beautiful medieval clock tower with moving figures. The city also has a large Gothic cathedral called the Münster, a historic town hall, and many covered walkways that make for a lovely stroll.

Bern is well-known for its bears, which are shown on the city's coat of arms. Visitors can see bears in the Bärengraben and at the Dählhölzli zoo. The Federal Palace, where Switzerland's government works, is open for tours. The city also has beautiful gardens, interesting fountains, and many old buildings that tell the story of its history.

Culture

See also: List of museums in Bern

Bern is a lively city with many places to enjoy performances and movies. You can visit several 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 also has many cinemas where films are usually shown in German, though some screens show movies in their original language with subtitles.

Each year, Bern hosts exciting 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). Additionally, the Musikpreis des Kantons Bern celebrates outstanding musicians who contribute to the city's music scene.

Sports

Bern has been an important place for sports events. In 1954, the city hosted the FIFA World Cup Final where West Germany narrowly 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 welcomed 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. In 2008, there were about 125,000 jobs that people could work at full time. Some jobs were in making things, like factories and building. Others were in helping people, like hospitals, schools, and shops. Many people also worked in offices, helping with money, computers, or travel.

Most people in Bern use buses or trains to get to work, and some drive their own cars. The city brings in many workers from nearby places, with about six people coming in for every one person leaving.

Education

Bern is a place where many people go to learn. It is home to the University of Bern and the University of Applied Sciences, along with several 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 their studies, while others begin learning a trade through apprenticeships. During the 2009–10 school year, about 10,979 students were in classes across different levels in Bern. There are also 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 very 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 have worked in public service, the military, and the church. These include Conrad Justinger, a chronicler and magistrate from the 1400s, and Kofi Annan, who served as the United Nations Secretary-General from 1997 to 2006.

Politicians and the landed gentry

Bern has also been home to many politicians and members of noble families. Notable figures 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 academics. Albert Einstein developed his theory of relativity while working as a patent examiner in the city. Other famous names 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 famous for her laughter. Other notable figures include Ulrich Boner, an early Swiss writer of fables, 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 politician 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 renowned violinist.

Business

In business, Rodolphe Lindt founded the famous Lindt chocolate factory in Bern. Marianne Alvoni is a contemporary 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 figures include Guerino Gottardi, a former Swiss-Italian footballer, and Mirjam Ott, a retired curler and captain of the Swiss Olympic Curling Team.