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Bern Old Town is located at a hill in the city center and is surrounded on three sides by Aare River. The place is famous with its medieval architecture and rich culture. The Old Town is the pride of Bern and the place where you can taste the life in Switzerland.

The history of the city of Bern begins with its founding by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen in 1191, ruler of Upper Burgundy. The legends say that the name of the city comes from the animal the duke met at a hunt. The bear is also the heraldic symbol of the city.

During the Medieval centuries the city expanded until the Great Fire from 1405. French troops occupied the city several times. In 1848 it became the new capital of the Swiss Federal State.

The historical part of the city is divided into two parts – eastern and western. Every tourist starts the journey from the main square and the Zytglogge – the Clock Tower. The most characterful streets in the Old Town – Postgasse, Gerechtigkeitsgasse and Junkerngasse meet at the Nydegg Castle. There you can see the remains of the medieval city walls and arches. Close to them is the Matte – the most picturesque district of the Old Town.

Don’t miss the beautiful small Rose Garden and the gothic cathedral of Bern. Untertorbrücke or the Lower Gate Bridge links the eastern part of the Old Town with the Bear Pit and the buildings of the Parliament.

The Old Town is also famous with its fountains. More than one hundred, they are colourful and decorated with statues. They were built in the 16th centur, mostly by the famous artist from Fribourg Hans Gieng.

The best way to get to Bern is via plane. Some airline companies offer direct flights to the Bern-Belp Airport.