Our trip to see Bern actually started on a Friday night---not our typical "get up and go" Saturday excursion. We had a trip to the Swiss temple with a group of ward members on July 1; so we decided since we were going to be down that way, we would spend the night and take the opportunity to see Bern bright and early the next day. I was really surprised. Our trips that way had been to Zollikofen (a small town suburb where the temple is located) and to the convention center which is located in a more industrial/less attractive architectural area, and along the freeway on the way to Interlaken. We had never even seen a glimpse of what awaited us in the old town of Bern. It was totally delightful (once we found our way around and found a parking place)!
The first thing we saw as we left our parking area was this beautiful church:
Right across the street was their Rat Haus, kind of like a court house or city hall. This one is very plain compared to Basel's (I'll show you more of it in a couple of posts), but it still had some intrigue:
As we walked a block or two, we hit the main street in the old town---Kramgasse. It was totally fun. The shopping in Switzerland never ceases to amaze me. I guess they really do have a lot of money because the stores are plentiful and offer a wide range of products. Jewelry, high-end clothing, and shoe stores are everywhere. Of course, there were some really cute touristy-type shops as well. The store-fronts are protected from the street by an arcade (covered sidewalks). Cute little restaurants are included there as well. I was more interested in the other things we saw. There were lots of these cute little sculpted people along the upper windows of the buildings. Apparently, a lot of these building were guild houses; I'm thinking that's why the adornment:
Right in the middle of the road was this neat fountain; of course, I like the guy standing next to it even better!
And then there's this clock just kind of sticking out in the middle of the thoroughfare as well; but, oh, what a clock! This clock, the Zytglogge or Zeitglockenturm, is located in the tower of what was Bern's west gate from 1191 to 1250. Apparently it was rebuilt after a fire in 1405 and then the tower was used to imprison prostitutes! Four minutes before each hour, bears and a crowing clock (among others) start their procession on the clock's east face.
We rounded the corner to get some pictures of the Casino and some other beautiful buildings, and I couldn't resist snapping a picture of these beautiful flowers.
DJ insisted I not take pictures of the Casino because of the sun's position, so I waited, but this beautiful building with the green domes is the Bendehaus where the Federal Assembly meets. Please excuse the wire fencing that's in the way!
Down river from there sits the Munster St.Vinzenz which was wrapped like a sandwich in Saran Wrap, as it was being renovated, but it's a beauty:
We were in and around the munster several times as it was Saturday and a large open air market is held on the plaza between the church and the river. We had a great time looking at the handiwork and crafts made by the Swiss. We had a lunch on the plaza, too.
Here's just a few random shots of things we saw as the day progressed:
Here's the shots of the Kultur Casino from later that day (totally ruined by the electrical wires for the trams)! It really and truly is a beautiful building with gorgeous detail. This is where the renowned Bern Symphony gives it concerts.
Loved this building (Swiss Life) which is close-by. Loved the paintings, loved the arches, and loved the window boxes full of flowers.
Not too far away was the Stadttheater (city theater) which was another example of architectural delight!
Right next door (if I remember right) is the Kornhaus, another venue for play production. I loved the relief at the top (besides, I was too close to get a picture of the whole thing).
I don't know which building this is, but I loved the crest with the bear on the top (probably the coat of arms for the city of Bern).
And speaking of bears. Bern is known for its bears. According to legend the duke who founded the town decided to name the new town after the first animal he killed on his next hunt. He killed a bear; thus, Bern. The city used to have bears in two pits on a hill about the river, but today those pits are filled with wooden carvings, and the real things dwell in an enclosed area on the banks of the River Aare. Throughout town, there are statues, replicas, and pictures of bears!
And here are where the real bears live today---no more little pits:
This guy was the first bear we saw---wasn't too charismatic...
But then we found this guy...watch as he moves, gets a drink, and goes for a swim...
Then there were these two having a little spiff, and the next guy trying to break a tree by bending it over and walking on it!
On the way out, we watched this big dude, he just liked to sit on the stairs and lay his head on the concrete.
By far my favorite thing about Bern was the River Aare. It has a gorgeous color. It winds through the old town like a horseshoe. The tree-filled hills rise up and down along its banks with Bern's gorgeous buildings like crown jewels up on top. I've ridden along the Seine, eaten on the banks of the Danube, lived near the Rhine, but the Aare is my FAVORITE river in Europe!
We were so glad we got to include Bern on our list of cities visited. What a beautiful place. Only wish we were going to be around long enough to enjoy it some more!
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