City of Bern / Berne

The city of Bern or Berne is the Bundesstadt (federal city, de facto capital) of Switzerland. The city proper has a population of 140,000 and the metropolitan area has a population of more than 660,000 people.  Bern is also the capital of the Canton of Bern, the second most populous of Switzerland's cantons.

The official language of Bern is (the Swiss variety of Standard) German but the main spoken language is the Alemannic Swiss German dialect called Bernese German.

The structure of Bern's city centre is largely medieval and has been recognised by UNESCO as a Cultural World Heritage Site in 1983. Perhaps its most famous sight is the Zytglogge (Bernese German for "Time Bell"), an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets. It also has an impressive 15th century Gothic cathedral, the Münster and a 15th-century town hall.

Since the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit, the Bärengraben to house its heraldic animal.  The flag and coat-of-arms of the city features a bear.

This postcard of Bern features the Marksman Fountain and the Clock Tower and it was sent by Roger (26 November 2014) Postcrossing Direct Swap.  The flag of Bern is flown prominently in this postcard.  Also seen is the Swiss flag as well as the war flag of the Ancien Régime  (a white cross on black and red flames).  This war flag is sometimes flown in lieu of or alongside the state flag.

 

Personal Note: We have been to Bern three times and always enjoyed walking around the town centre but (except for W.) I have never been to the bear pit.