Bern
Bern (or Berne, the official English spelling) is the capital of Switzerland. It is a smallish city with a population of about 130,000, surrounded on three sides by the meandering River Aare. Bern has long been a firmly Protestant city. The main language spoken is Swiss-German. English is supplanting French as the favorite second language of the Bernese, but both are widely spoken, especially as the Bern canton is officially a bilingual canton (German and French), and Bern itself is only 12 km from the nearest French-speaking village.
The remarkably harmonious design of the Bern's old town, brimming with beautifully preserved 14th- to 16th-century architecture, has earned it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The old town features four miles of pleasant arcaded walkways along streets dotted with fountains and clock-towers. Bern's 15th-century Gothic Cathedral of St. Vincent is magnificently decorated inside and its tower provides a sweeping vista of the city.
City Guide & Trip Planning
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Sacred Sites & Religious Places
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Bern Münster
The Münster (originally Cathedral of St. Vincent), is a late-Gothic church with magnificent carved portals. Its spire is the tallest in Switzerland. |
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Französische Kirche (French Church)
The oldest church in Bern (1270) and originally part of a Dominican monastery, this has welcomed French-speaking Protestants since 1623. It is especially notable for its rare frescoed rood screen. |
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Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Spirit Church)
This church near the train station is acclaimed as Switzerland's finest example of Protestant church building.
Dating from the 1720s, the church has a fine Baroque interior. |
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