Old city of Bern
Address
Bern Altstadt
GPS
46.9482888, 7.4512729
Since 1983, the historic district of Bern (Old city of Bern) has been recognized as a World Heritage site by UNESCO due to its unique beauty and the high quality of its sandstone architecture. The city’s six kilometers of arcades and tiny lanes are also quintessential.
On a peninsula at the Aare River’s bend in 1191, Berchtold V, duke of Zähringen, established the city of Bern. Beginning in the year 1200, the city grew steadily, with the addition of such landmarks as the Käfigturm (Prison Tower), Zytglogge (Clock Tower), Nydeggstalden (Nydegg Castle), and Mattenenge (Nydegg Gate). The Christoffelturm (Christoffel Tower) replaced the old city gate after the third expansion, and Bern’s Matte neighborhood has been a part of the city’s Old City since its final expansion in 1360.
