Update before you travel
Admission prices, opening hours, and transport routes in Bern can change — check Switzerland's official tourism website for current details before you go.
If we talk about the country that is known as the most beautiful in the world, Switzerland. (Switzerland) must be one of the top 3 that everyone thinks of...the image in their minds is of a city surrounded by snowy mountains. The beauty of the flower fields and beautiful natural tourist attractions And when asked about tourist cities that many people know about, the most popular tourist destination is Lucerne. (Luzern)
Advertising images commonly used by tour companies are images of Kapellbrücke The wooden bridge and tower in the middle of the water are the highlight and are considered landmarks of this city. Combined with Lucerne being a city with a melting pot of assets, tour companies from around the world like to take their kids on tours, making many people know Lucerne more than the actual capital of Switzerland.
The forgotten capital is the word that many people describe as the capital of Switzerland. Because a beautiful country famous for its natural attractions has a capital city that lacks those highlights. Some tourists choose to travel to this place without relying on tour groups. The original version of the trip was shared on social media with the familiar phrase "The Forgotten Capital" Recorded as those stories, the forgotten city became famous again.
Bern or Bern The forgotten capital of Switzerland. A destination for tourists seeking the old cities of Europe. long history And the old city area that has survived both world wars is registered as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and ECA International. It also ranked Bern as the most livable city in Europe alongside Copenhagen in 2019 - 2020. As well
The history of the forgotten capital has been published on social media. From the quiet forgotten capital it has becomeThe capital that has never been forgotten Because of the beauty of the old city that many people have seen, it has made Bern become a new landmark that tour companies have to add this city to popular tourist attractions in Switzerland.
Bär Graben
The memorable image that many people often see through various media When visiting the capital that will never be forgotten, you cannot escape the sight of Bear Pond (Bär Graben) that has been with the city since the beginning (Bern is a synonym of Bär in German which means bear). Since the governor in the past announced that he would name the city after the name of the first animal species encountered, the "bear" has become the symbol of the city by default.
Besides the bear pond Bern also has many points of interest, including hidden Unseen spots that many people wouldn't expect. Especially in the old town where the charm of the past is reflected in the bricks of the buildings, pavements and architecture, making the city a treasure that has transcended time into the present.
Bundeshaus
Unseen The first location is at Switzerland Parliament Building. (Bundeshaus) because this building is the national headquarters. Instead, people are allowed to walk into the surrounding area. There are also benches and resting areas for people to relax. It's like a small public park that many people don't expect. Because this building is located on a high hill, giving a clear view of the old city, it is considered an Unseen place that may not be on the list of popular tours.
In front of the Parliament Building. It is a wide square and fountain called Bundesplatz . On the other side is the office of the Bank of Switzerland. (Schweizerische Nationalbank)This is another beautiful and important spot. Because aside from the fountain square, on holidays it will be transformed into a flower market in the middle of the square. Therefore, this square has become another spot that many people should stop by to record their travels before traveling to the next destination.
Käfigturm
Walking into the old town next to the main road, you should start at Prison Tower , or in German it is called Käfigturm In the past, it was used to imprison criminals. But today it is an important historical site. And is listed as a World Cultural Heritage Site with UNESCO (UNESCO) as well.
Käfigturm is known as the oldest monument of this capital. Because of its long construction history and integration many times. being a political symbol Including being used as a gathering point in the event of an emergency. At present, the walkway under Ho Hoi has tracks for trams to pass beneath. Another beautiful picture was born. The combination of buildings from the past and technology of the present is a must-see when visiting Bern.
Zytglogge
In addition to its rich history, the Käfigturm also has an astronomical clock.Zytglogge It is a highlight because at the beginning of every hour there is a dance performance by the dolls on the side. This makes it popular for tourists to stand and wait to watch this cute show where the clocks will start dancing in circles. 4 minutes before the next hour Anyone who would like to see it animated can click to watch the clip.
Kindlifressenbrunnen
The side alley near Käfigturm will find an Unseen point that can be called another landmark of this city, namely Kindlifressenbrunnen. Or the giant child-eating fountain. This city has public fountains scattered in various places, but in this one, a famous statue is decorated, making it another special spot where people come to take photos.
The statue atop this fountain was originally named Platzbrunnen , but later the name was changed to Kindlifressen which means child-eating giant. It refers to the giant at the top of the fountain who is eating children. To make children know that if they don't obey adults, giants will come and eat them. It's similar to a children's story.
Einstein-Haus
Back on the same street as Käfigturm, there is the temporary residence of world famous physicist Albert Einstein, also known as Einstein-Haus It was used as a shelter for a short time (1903-1905) and is now a museum that many tourists come to see. Because the place has some of his photos and works. The entrance fee is 6 francs (CHF.), approximately 180 baht. You can check the schedule for opening times at einstein-bern.ch.
Berner Münster
Continue walking on the same road and you will see The Cathedral of Bern (Münster St. Vincenz or Berner. Münster) is considered one of Switzerland's most important churches. This place is open for visitors to visit and climb onto the tower's balcony. The entrance fee is 5 francs (CHF.), approximately 150 baht.
This church took just the church 150 years to build and was added with a tower, which is a viewpoint of Bern. There are a total of 285 steps in the spiral staircase. It can be said that walking around until you feel dizzy. The entrance to the tower is a narrow and steep walkway. This makes going up to see it quite difficult and time consuming.
Although walking up is quite difficult. But when you see the view from the tower's balcony, it's worth it. Because the view from the tower is like a reflection of another angle looking at the Parliament building. And can walk around 360 degrees, but the balcony on this tower is wide enough for one person to stand. This makes it not suitable for those who are afraid of heights because they will have to stand very close to the edge of the balcony. You've been warned!!!
In addition to the places above, There are still many spots worth checking in. Because cultural value is not something that can be created. Preserving the uniqueness of this ancient city makes Bern a capital worth preserving. If you have the opportunity to travel in Switzerland, Don't forget to make Bern your main goal. Then you will know that this forgotten city has an aura of history that beckons and begs to be studied.
