Bern is the capital of both Switzerland and the Canton of Bern. Founded in 1911 by Duke Berthold V of Zahringen, the city became a Holy Free City in 1218 when Berthold died without an heir. Bern joined the new Swiss Confederation in 1353, and after the successful invasions of Aargau in 1415 and Vaud in 1536 became the largest city-state north of the Alps.
The original city was constructed mainly of wood from the surrounding forests. In 1405, however, it was almost entirely burnt to the ground. It was therefore reconstructed in sandstone. During the French revolutionary wars the city was occupied and stripped of most of its territory, triggering the decline of the old city.
Bern was originally built on a peninsular which juts into the Aare river, but in the 19th century numerous bridges were constructed to facilitate the growth of the city beyond this natural boundary. The city also spread towards the west, with a number of fortifications marking the ever-changing western boundaries of the city through the centuries.

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