There is something about Switzerland, something different that few other European countries have. Switzerland is charming and picturesque; nature is one with the country for it blends harmoniously with the industrial side of the nation. It is in Bern when this fusion of the modern and the old, nature and civilization is most apparent.
When someone thinks of the capital of a country the first things that come in mind are skyscrapers, technology, giant stadiums and shopping malls, freeways, long bridges, and thousands of buses and cabs. Unlike the big capitals of the world like London, Tokyo, and Paris, Bern is rather small—Switzerland is one of the smallest countries in Western Europe, and perhaps it is Bern’s size what makes this capital so charming.
The countries surrounding Switzerland have influenced the language and culture of this small country; although German is the dominant language, French, Italian, and Romansch are also spoken in some regions of Switzerland. The country is perhaps most known for its traditional crafts and specialties like luxurious watches, useful pocketknives, mouth-watering chocolates, and famous cheeses.
Bern has been the capital of Switzerland since 1848; its name can be translated as Bear (legend has it a bear was the first animal killed in the forests of the area back in the 12th century) and until a couple of years ago, bears could be found inside the bear pits just at the end of the old town. Bern has a fortunate location that provides marvelous views for tourists and locals; the beautiful River Aare runs through the city while the Alps provide an amazing background for any picture. The River was one of the first things that called my attention; the water had a bluish-green color that I had never seen before and although the water was freezing many people were swimming down its current.
The Old Town of Bern was the second thing that caught my attention; designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Old Town of Bern has many well-preserved houses and arcades that date back to the 16th and 17th centuries; its clock tower dates back to the 1530’s and many fountains and sculptures fill the streets of this town. One of the most famous of these fountains is the Kindlifresser Fountain which depicts an ogre swallowing the head of a child (many parents take their children to this place to illustrate the “outcome of a transgression”).
As the capital of the country, Bern is the home of the Swiss Parliament; during a hot day, many children (and some adult/children or in other words, me) can be found running around the splashing fountains outside the parliament. The square right outside this building also serves as the spot for food markets and concerts. I was lucky enough to visit Bern during the international music festival week on August which offered food from around the world as well as free concerts throughout the old town.
For me Bern was a welcomed surprise from the giant cities I was used to like Mexico City, Los Angeles, Madrid, and Tokyo. In Bern it seems that time runs at a calmer pace to which I adapted in no time at all; just like the locals I took a dip inside the Aare River and tanned by the free outside pool next to the Aare. Since the river is so close to the town and the Alps are a short drive away, the water from the fountains is fresh, very cold, and extremely delicious! You will never taste better water. The zoo is right next to the river as well, so close they actually blend; the otters and some other fresh water animals swim in an enclosed part of the Aare while the “cages” are made in the mountains surrounding the river.
Bern is indeed a beautiful city that lends itself to outdoor activities like hiking, running, and swimming; although I was vacationing I did not mind waking up at 7:00 AM to go running by the paths next to the river, a good dip in its frozen waters was always refreshing, and a night concert was a must during the days of pure bliss in Bern.
Before I talk about the gastronomy of Switzerland and where to stay when you travel to this country, I would like to write about spectacular Interlaken and the gorgeous Luzern. The next blog will be dedicated to these two cities in Switzerland so make sure to come back to get to know more about this amazing country.
