The Canton of Bern is Switzerland's second-largest canton, stretching from the UNESCO-listed medieval capital city to the dramatic peaks of the Bernese Oberland. Home to the federal capital of Switzerland, picturesque alpine lakes, and world-class ski resorts, Bern blends political significance with breathtaking natural beauty.
Bern was founded in 1191 by Duke Berthold V of Zähringen and became a powerful medieval city-state within the Holy Roman Empire, joining the Swiss Confederation in 1353. The city's distinctive medieval architecture—the arcaded streets, fountains, and towers—was largely established in the 14th and 15th centuries, surviving largely intact to receive UNESCO World Heritage status in 1983. As Switzerland's federal capital since 1848, Bern has been at the centre of Swiss political life and witnessed key moments in European history, including Albert Einstein's development of the Theory of Relativity during his years working here from 1902 to 1909.
Historical timeline
Key moments that shaped Bern.
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1
Foundation of Bern
Duke Berthold V of Zähringen founds Bern on a peninsula in the Aare River, naming it for the bear he killed during a hunting expedition. The strategic location controls the river crossing.
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2
Zähringen dynasty ends
Following the death of Duke Berthold V without heirs, Bern becomes a free imperial city (Freie Reichsstadt) under the Holy Roman Empire.
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3
Joins the Swiss Confederation
Bern joins the Swiss Confederation as its eighth canton, significantly expanding the Confederation's territory and military power.
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4
Great Fire of Bern
A catastrophic fire destroys much of the wooden city. The rebuilding programme replaces wooden buildings with sandstone, creating the distinctive medieval stone arcade architecture that survives today.
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5
Reformation in Bern
Bern adopts the Protestant Reformation following a famous disputation—the Bern Disputation—ending Catholicism and reshaping the cultural and political life of the canton.
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6
Swiss Federal Constitution; Bern becomes capital
Switzerland adopts its first federal constitution in 1848. Bern is designated the federal seat of government—not the official capital but the 'federal city'—and the Parliament building (Bundeshaus) is subsequently built.
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7
First Geneva Convention signed
The first Geneva Convention is negotiated in 1863-1864, with Bern playing a diplomatic role in establishing international humanitarian law for warfare.
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8
Federal Constitution revised; referendum introduced
Switzerland's revised constitution introduces the referendum—a cornerstone of Swiss direct democracy that Bern helps pioneer and model.
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9
Einstein in Bern
Albert Einstein lives and works in Bern, employed at the Federal Patent Office on Genfergasse. During these years he produces five landmark physics papers including the Special Theory of Relativity (1905)—his 'Annus Mirabilis'.
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10
Youth riots and Reitschule struggle
Bern's counterculture youth movement (Bewegung) leads to major street protests in 1980-1981. The Reitschule cultural centre becomes an autonomous alternative space that continues operating today.
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11
UNESCO World Heritage designation
The Old Town of Bern is designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, recognising the exceptional integrity of its medieval urban fabric, arcaded streets, and 11 Renaissance fountains.
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12
Same-sex marriage legalised
Switzerland legalises same-sex marriage following a referendum—a landmark moment for Swiss society reflecting Bern's progressive political traditions.
Historical eras
The chapters of Bern's past.
Zähringen Period
Founding era under the Zähringen dynasty; establishment of the city's original layout and the Zytglogge as western gate
Free Imperial City
Bern as an independent free city within the Holy Roman Empire, expanding territorially and developing its civic identity
Confederation Period
Bern's great expansion as a powerful Swiss cantonal state; construction of the Minster begins 1421; sandstone rebuilding after 1405 fire creates the current Old Town character
Reformation and Early Modern
Protestant transformation of Bern; the Bernese republic expands across the Vaud and Aargau; economic prosperity produces the Kornhaus and civic monuments
Federal Capital Era
Bern chosen as federal seat of government; modernisation of the city alongside preservation of the medieval core; Einstein's residency (1902-1909); UNESCO designation (1983)
Historical sites
Places where Bern's past comes alive.
Bern Old Town (UNESCO World Heritage Site)
The entire medieval core of Bern is a UNESCO World Heritage Site—6km of arcaded streets, 11 Renaissance fountains, the Zytglogge tower, the Minster cathedral, and hundreds of preserved medieval buildings make this one of Europe's finest medieval urban environments.
Where: Bern city centre
Admission: Free to explore
Zytglogge (Clock Tower)
The Zytglogge is Bern's oldest surviving tower, built as part of the original western city gate around 1191-1256. The elaborate astronomical clock was installed in 1530 and remains one of the finest in the world. The tower served successively as a city gate, women's prison, and fire watchtower.
Where: Kramgasse, Bern Old Town
Admission: Free exterior; CHF 20 guided tour
Bern Minster (Münster Cathedral)
Building of Bern's magnificent late Gothic cathedral began in 1421 under master builder Matthäus Ensinger and continued for 471 years until the spire was finally completed in 1893—making it one of Switzerland's great architectural projects. The main portal's 234 carved figures depicting the Last Judgement are outstanding late medieval sculpture.
Where: Münsterplatz, Bern
Admission: Free nave; CHF 5 tower climb
Federal Palace (Bundeshaus)
The magnificent Federal Palace is the seat of Switzerland's federal government and a landmark of Swiss political history. The building combines three separate architectural phases between 1852 and 1902, with the famous central dome decorated with the Swiss cantons' coats of arms.
Where: Bundesplatz 3, Bern
Admission: Free guided tours
Einstein House Museum
Albert Einstein lived in this apartment from 1902 to 1909 while working as a patent examiner at the Federal Patent Office. The recreated apartment and exhibits tell the story of the years when Einstein wrote his most important papers, including the Special Theory of Relativity (1905).
Where: Kramgasse 49, Bern
Admission: CHF 8 adults
Thun Castle (Schloss Thun)
Founded by Duke Berthold IV of Zähringen in the late 12th century, Thun Castle is one of the finest medieval fortresses in Switzerland. The square keep with four corner towers houses a four-storey museum with weapons, tapestries, and historical artefacts spanning from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
Where: Schlossberg 1, Thun
Admission: CHF 12 adults
Spiez Castle (Schloss Spiez)
Spiez Castle stands on a vineyard promontory above Lake Thun in one of the most picturesque settings in Switzerland. The castle complex includes a Romanesque church (one of the oldest in Bern Canton), residential palace buildings from various eras, and museum exhibitions on the region's noble families.
Where: Schlossstrasse 16, 3700 Spiez
Admission: CHF 9 adults
Ballenberg Swiss Open-Air Museum
The Ballenberg Open-Air Museum near Brienz brings together over 100 historic Swiss farmhouses, barns, and rural buildings from across all 26 cantons, transplanted and reconstructed in a 66-hectare park. Living craft demonstrations show traditional cheese-making, wood-working, and textile production.
Where: Museumstrasse 100, 3858 Hofstetten
Admission: CHF 32 adults
Museums
Curated collections that tell Bern's story.
Bern Historical Museum (Bernisches Historisches Museum)
Switzerland's second-largest historical museum with over 500,000 artefacts spanning prehistoric times to the 20th century, housed in a turreted neo-Gothic building. The Einstein Museum on the upper floors is exceptional.
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00
Admission: CHF 18 (includes Einstein Museum)
Swiss Alpine Museum (Schweizerisches Alpines Museum)
The world's only museum dedicated to the Alps, covering alpine culture, mountaineering history, ecology, and the challenges facing mountain communities—one of the most thoughtful museums in Switzerland.
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:30
Admission: CHF 15
Kunstmuseum Bern
The oldest public art museum in Switzerland, opened in 1879, with exceptional collections of medieval, 19th-century, and modern art including the world's largest collection of works by Paul Klee.
Hours: Tue-Sun 10:00-17:00 (Tue until 21:00)
Admission: CHF 20
Historical tours
Guided experiences that bring history to life.
Walking tours
Free walking tours of the Old Town depart daily at 11:00 from Bahnhofplatz (tip-based); guided tours from Bern Tourism from CHF 20
Day tours
Full-day historical and UNESCO tours from CHF 50-80 per person; combination city and museum tours available
Private tours
Private guides from CHF 150 per half-day; specialist tours including Einstein Bern and Reformation history available