City Orientation Walk

Transcription

1 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 - City Orientation Walk Bern is the capital of Switzerland, and here you can find many fascinating attractions, such as the century clock tower, The Münster of St. Vincent, the Historical Museum of Bern and the Bundeshaus. Take this tour to explore the most notable sights in Bern; you will not be disappointed. Guide Location: Switzerland» Bern # of Attractions: 16 Tour Duration: 2 hour(s) Travel Distance: 2.7 km Please note: This walk is also featured in the ios app "Bern Map and Walks" on itunes App Store and the Android app "Bern Map and Walks" on Google Play. The apps provide GPS navigation to guide you from one tour stop to the next, so you will never be lost. The apps offer additional walking tours in Bern. Check them out! GPSmyCity offers self-guided walking tours in over 1,000 city around the world. Please visit gpsmycity.com for more walking tour offers. List of attractions included in this self-guided walking tour: A) Bundeshaus B) Bärenplatz C) Käfigturm D) Pfeiferbrunnen E) Kunstmuseum F) Franzsische Kirche G) Kornhausforum H) Kindlifresserbrunnen I) Zytglogge J) Zähringerbrunnen K) Einsteinhaus L) The Münster of Bern M) Bern Old Town N) Nydegg Kirche O) Nydeggbrücke P) The Barengraben (and BarenPark) Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 1 -

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4 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 - A) Bundeshaus (must see) The Bundeshaus was designed by the architect Hans Auer, and it was inaugurated on April 1, The two chambers where the National Council and the Council of States meet are separated by the Hall of the Dome. The dome itself has an external height of 64 meters and an internal height of 33 meters. The mosaic at the center of the dome is of the federal coat of arms along with the Latin motto "Unus pro omnibus, omnes pro uno" ("One for all, and all for one"). This is surrounded by the coats of arms of the 22 cantons that existed in The coat of arms of the Canton of Jura, created in 1979, was placed outside of the mosaic. Address: Bundesplatz, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Flickr and twicepix. Sight description based on wikipedia B) Bärenplatz (must see) The Bärenplatz (Bear Plaza) is a plaza in the Old City of Bern, the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. It is part of the Innere Neustadt which was built during the second expansion from 1255 to It is located north of Bundesplatz, west of Käfigturm and south of Waisenhausplatz. It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site that encompasses the Old City. In 1256, the area that became Bärenplatz was a ditch that was part of the second city wall. In 1513 the northern section was walled off to become the Bärengraben (Bear Pits). Then, in 1578 the bridge into the Käfigturm was demolished and in the next year, the southern section was filled in. The southern part of the plaza was used from the hay and wood market. Then in 1668/69 it became home to the Rossmarkt or horse market. When the Bärengraben were moved, the northern section was filled in and came to be known as Holzmarkt (Wood Market). The middle section was then known as Viehmarkt (Cattle Market). The plaza is first mentioned as Bärenplatz in the mid-19th Century. Address: Bärenplatz, 3011, Berne, Switzerland Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 4 -

5 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 - Image Courtesy of Flickr and Cha già José. Sight description based on wikipedia C) Käfigturm (must see) The Käfigturm is a medieval tower. It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern and the tower is a Cultural Property of National Significance. The original tower was built as a gate house during the second expansion of Bern in The tower was demolished in 1640 and completely rebuilt immediately thereafter. The current clock tower bell was added to the tower in The history of the bell is a bit unusual. When the town town decided to add a bell, the Thirty Years War was still raging in Europe. So, the town council chose to buy a bell that had been captured near Vesoul and was being shipped as war booty to Freiburg. Address: Spitalgasse 4, 3011,Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Sandstein. Sight description based on wikipedia D) Pfeiferbrunnen (must see) Pfeiferbrunnen is a fountain located near Spitalgasse 21 in the Old City of Bern. This 16th-century fountain is on the list of Swiss heritage sites of national importance. Pfeiferbrunnen was built in by the Swiss Renaissance sculptor Hans Gieng and was based on the 1514 Albrecht Dürer woodcut of the Bagpiper. Originally, it stood in front of the Gasthaus zum Kreuz, which was a hotel for traveling minstrels. In 1594 the building was renamed Gasthof zum Storchen. This inspired the alternate name for Pfeiferbrunnen, which is Storchenbrunnen. This alternative name was popular until the end of the 19th century. During the 1874 renovation of the fountain, an inscription was placed on the back of the statue, and the figures on the pillar were damaged. The current basin was built in In 1919 the fountain was moved from its original spot to its current location in front of Spitalgasse 21. Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 5 -

6 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 - Address: Spitalgasse 21, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Flickr and twicepix. Sight description based on wikipedia E) Kunstmuseum (must see) Kunstmuseum is one of the oldest museums in Switzerland. It has internationally-recognized masterpieces by artists such as P. Klee, Hodle and Pablo Picasso. The artwork at the museum is displayed not in chronological order, but by the theme of the piece. For example, the museum groups paintings depicting nature scenes together in one section. Operation Hours: Tuesday: 10 am - 9 pm; Wednesday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm Address: Hodlerstrasse 8, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Supermutz F) Franzsische Kirche The Französische Kirche, also known as the French Church, was built from in the Romanesque style. It started as a Dominican monastic church, but since 1623, it has served as a place of worship for French-speaking Protestants. It is the oldest church in Bern and is famous for its rood screen located behind the alter, which is decorated with Dominican pictures. Address: Predigergasse 1, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Hagelhans Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 6 -

7 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 - G) Kornhausforum Kornhausforum is an exhibition hall located in central Bern. Exhibitions held here are typically organized by artist or theme. Many forms of art are represented, including design, music, literature and photography. Exhibition programs vary and may include presentations, performances, parties, festivals etc. Operation hours: Tuesday - Wednesday, Friday: 12 pm - 5 pm; Thursday: 12 pm - 8 pm; Saturday - Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm Address: Kornhausplatz 18, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Raphael Frey H) Kindlifresserbrunnen One of the most interesting statues in Bern is Kindlifresserbrunnen, which translates to "Child Eater Fountain" or "Ogre Fountain." The fountain was built in on the site of a 15th-century wooden fountain. Originally known as Platzbrunnen, the current name dates back to The statue is of a seated giant or ogre swallowing a naked child. Several other children are visible in a sack at the figure's feet. There are several interpretations of what the statue represents. It has been suggested that the ogre is a Jew with a pointed Jewish hat or perhaps the Greek god Chronos. However, the most likely explanation is that the statue represents a figure from folklore that scares disobedient children. Address: Kornhausplatz 6, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Baikonur. Sight description based on wikipedia Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 7 -

8 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 - I) Zytglogge (must see) Zytglogge is a notable medieval tower in Bern. Built in the early 13th century as a gate tower for the city's western fortifications, it has served over the years as a guard tower, prison, clock tower, center of urban life and civic memorial. Despite the many renovations it has undergone in its 800 years of existence, Zytglogge is one of Bern's most recognizable symbols and, along with its 15th-century astronomical clock, a major tourist attraction. It is a heritage site of national significance, and part of the Old City of Bern, which is listed as a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage site. Address: Bim Zytglogge 5, 3011 Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Andrew Bossi. Sight description based on wikipedia J) Zähringerbrunnen The Zähringerbrunnen fountain is a Swiss Cultural Property of National Significance and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern. The Zähringerbrunnen was probably built in 1535 as a memorial to the founder of Bern, Berchtold von Zähringer. The statue is a bear in full armor, with another bear cub at his feet. The bear represents the bear, that according to legend, Berchtold shot on the Aare peninsula as he was searching for a site to build a city. The armored bear carries a shield and a banner, both emblazoned with the Zähringen lion. The basin below the fountain bore the date 1542 until 1889 when the entire basin was replaced. At the same time the column and figure were repainted. The old basin was octagonal. On one face it had the inscription Protege Nos Domine and on another Soli Deo Gloria. Another face had the date 1542 in Roman numerals and the fourth had an inscription that was unreadable in the 19th Century. The current basin is an exact replica of the Pfeiferbrunnen's basin. Address: Kramgasse 65, 3011, Bern, Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 8 -

9 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 - Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Mike Lehmann. Sight description based on wikipedia K) Einsteinhaus (must see) The Einsteinhaus is a museum and a former residence of Albert Einstein. A flat on the second floor of the house was occupied by Albert Einstein, his wife Mileva Marić and their son Hans Albert Einstein from 1903 to The Annus Mirabilis papers, which contributed substantially to the foundation of modern physics, were written by Einstein in 1905, while he worked at the Federal Institute of Intellectual Property. The living conditions of Einstein and his family are shown accurately in the apartment on the second floor with furniture from that time. Einstein s biography and his life s work are presented on the third floor. A larger permanent exhibition is located at the Historical Museum of Bern. Operation hours: Monday - Sunday: 10 am - 5 pm Address: Kramgasse 49, 3000 Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Flickr and Puntin1969. Sight description based on wikipedia L) The Münster of Bern (must see) The Münster of Bern is a Gothic cathedral (or minster) located in the Old City of Bern. Construction on the cathedral began in Its tower, with a height of 100 meters (328 feet), was only completed in It is the tallest cathedral in Switzerland and is a cultural property of national significance. The first church on this site was most likely a small chapel built during the founding of Bern in During the 13th century a larger, three-nave church with a tower on the north side was built. By the 15th century, Bern had expanded and become a major city-state north of the Alps. To Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 9 -

10 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 - celebrate the city's growing power and wealth, plans were made to build a new and larger church. On March 11, 1421, construction began on the current cathedral under the direction of the Strasbourg master builder Matthäus Ensinger. Address: Cathedral Place 1, Munsterplatz, 3000, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Attila Terbócs. Sight description based on wikipedia M) Bern Old Town (must see) The Old City of Bern is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. It is home to Switzerland's tallest cathedral as well as other churches, bridges and a large collection of Renaissance fountains. The buildings in the Old City, dating from a variety of periods, include 15th-century arcades and 16th century fountains. Most of the medieval town was restored in the 18th century but it has retained its original character. Address: Old City, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Benutzer:Amstuzmarco The reformed Nydegg Kirche is located on the eastern edge of the Old City of Bern. The original small church was built from 1341 to 1346 to replace an old fortress. This early church featured a roof turret. From 1480 to 1483 the city added a tower, and from 1493 to 1504, a new nave was added. After the Protestant Reformation in 1529, the Nydegg Kirche was transformed into a warehouse, housing barrels, timber and grain. In 1566 it again began to serve as a place of worship, and until 1721 it was a branch church of the Münster of Bern. In 1863, the church was extended to the west and an entrance from Nydeggbrücke was added. From 1951 to 1953 the church was renovated. Bronze reliefs by Marcel Perincioli were added to the main entrance at Nydegghöfli and the entrance to the bridge. The Nydegghöflibrunnen or Stalden fountain was added to a niche under Nydegggasse at Nydegghöfli in Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 10 -

11 Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 11 - Address: Nydeggstalden, 3011, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Wladyslaw Sojka. Sight description based on wikipedia O) Nydeggbrücke Nydeggbrücke Bridge connects the new and the old part of eastern Bern. Construction on the bridge began in 1840 and continued for three years. It was built simultaneously with another bridge Untertorbrücke. The bridge spans 190 meters and has vertical columns supported at each end by piers. Address: Nydeggbrücke, Bern, Switzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Baikonur P) The Barengraben (and BarenPark) The Bärengraben, is a bear pit, or enclosure housing bears, situated at the eastern edge of the old city of Bern, next to the Nydeggbrücke and the River Aar. Although still in use, the Bärengraben has been supplemented since 2009 by the adjacent BärenPark, a larger and more natural enclosure alongside the River Aar. The Bärengraben is a Swiss heritage site of national significance, and is of particular significance in Bern because the bear is a symbol of both the city and surrounding canton, and is featured in their coat of arms. The Bear Pit, situated near the Rosen Garten, is the place to see bears (or Baren in Swiss) right in the heart of the city. Address: The Barengraben, Bern, Swidzerland Image Courtesy of Wikimedia and Хрюша. Sight description based on wikipedia Copyright by GPSmyCity.com - Page 11 -