UNESCO recognised the medieval centre of Bern as a World Heritage Site. The
Clock Tower, built between 1191 and 1256, and the first western city gate which
features an ornate astronomical calendar created in 1530 have much to do with
this achievement. The Munster is an impressive example of Late Gothic architecture,
towering above the old centre. It is recognised as the largest ecclesiastical
building in Switzerland. The construction began in 1421, but the spire, which
rises 100 meters into the air, was not completed until 1893.
Bern has boasted a bear pit, the Barengraben, since the 16th century, and the
current Bear Pits have been in the same location since 1857, although they have
been renovated extensively from 1995 to 96 to create a more suitable environment
for the bears. There are plans to turn the Bear Pits into a Bear Park, which
would allow the bears to swim and fish in the river freely.
The Botanical Gardens contain a wide selection of alpine plants, which provide
visitors with an insider’s view of Swiss flora. The gardens extend over
a 2 hectare area in the centre of the city, containing seven greenhouses in
total. The Zoological Gardens , nestled between the river and the Dahlholzi
Forest, house two hundred species of animals.
The House of Parliament is home to the Swiss government and to the Parliament,
and is open to public visitors. Parliament Square was reconstructed in 2004,
and now, instead of just serving as a car park, hosts traditional markets as
well as a monument of fountains representing the 26 cantons of Switzerland.
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