Berner Münster St. Vinzenz is the largest and most significant late medieval church in Switzerland, making it the most remarkable example of late Gothic architecture in the city. The highest Swiss church tower offers a breathtaking panorama over the city, the surrounding countryside, and the snowy peaks of the Bernese...
The Münsterplattform has many grassy areas and shady chestnut trees, making it a great place for a picnic, some playtime, and some R&R. This former churchyard is now a popular meeting area due to its stunning panorama over the Aare, the Alps, and the Bernese Matte neighborhood. Bernese of all...
Located on the Münsterplattform in close proximity to Bern's cathedral is the Mattelift, a straightforward elevator, known as Senkeltram. It is a kind of public transportation that links the downtown area to the Matte neighborhood, a historic working-class hub where industries like tanning were practiced. The Senkeltram is a tramway...
One of Bern's historic neighborhoods, the MatteQuartier dates back to the early modern era. Located on a peninsula in the middle of the Aare, just below the actual old town, sits the neighborhood. That area is visibly isolated from the rest of the city. The MatteQuartier was famous for its...
The Nydeggbrücke in Bern, Switzerland, links the eastern half of the ancient city to the western half of the modern city. It spans the river Aare and sits in close proximity to the Bärengraben. The first bridge across the Aare before this one was erected in 1840's Untertorbrücke. The construction...
The Bear Pit Bear Park, also known as the "Bärengraben," first opened in 1857; however, after much debate, a 6,000 square-meter bear park was constructed in 2009 on the outskirts of the Old Town beside the Aare River. The bears can still use the tunnel to go to the Pit,...
