In 1983 the historic old town in the center of Bern/Berne became a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Berne is ranked among the world’s top ten cities for the best quality of life
The train from Zurich to Berne provided the most amazing vistas and we knew we were in for a delightful treat…
The structure of Bern’s city center is largely medieval …..
Perhaps its most famous sight is the Zytglogge , an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets.
It also has an impressive 15th century Gothic cathedral, the Munster…..
The festive May Pole in the Munster…….
Thanks to 6 kilometers (4 miles) of arcades, the old town boasts one of the longest covered shopping promenades in Europe….oh yes we walked them all….several times…..
The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus), built from 1857 to 1902, which houses the national parliament, government and part of the federal administration, can also be visited…..
Albert Einstein lived in a flat at the Kramgasse 49, the site of the Einsteinhaus, from 1903 to 1905, the year in which the Annus Mirabilis Papers were published….
There are eleven Renaissance allegorical statues on public fountains in the Old Town.
Nearly all the 16th century fountains, except the Zähringer fountain which was created by Hans Hiltbrand, are the work of the Fribourg master Hans Gieng.
One of the more interesting fountains is the Kindlifresserbrunnen or Child Eater Fountain
All along the street, each building has a set of Cellar Doors….
These are actually the entrances to cafes, shops and clubs…..under each establishment is another one!!
Every corner we turned held another beautiful view….
Have you noticed that it is very quiet in the town??
Well we chose the perfect time to visit Berne….there was a giant Family Expo being held….
We had the entire town to ourselves! Marvelous!
We fell in love with all the beautiful fountains and statues throughout the town…..
Berne is just enchanting……
The fresh crisp air off the snow covered Alps was just divine…..
……..We were ready for some great Swiss Food….
……since it was a holiday of sorts, finding an open restaurant was not that easy…..
We found the wonderful Ringgenberg with a beautiful patio for al fresco dining…
Oh what delights awaited our palates…..
Cream of Asparagus Soup with Mushrooms topped with Asparagus and Delightful Tiny Pancakes…
….of course since we are in Switzerland, the Cappuccino is topped with Marvelous Chocolate….
We fell in love with Berne and hope to come and visit her again one day….
Hope you enjoyed this visit to Berne with us……..until next time……
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Tales and Travels of the Tinman 
So you lulled me along the medieval streets. In and out of the shops in the arcades. We checked our watches with the Clocktower – it was delightful, dewonderful, delovely. Then you gave me a knew reason to look under my bed at night – THE KINDLIFFESSERBRUNNER! Say it fast it is like singing. But you can’t fool me. There’s a baby eater under my bed. I must make a giant leap from the doorway unto my bad so the baby eater doesn’t grab my ruby slippers. On Tinny where are the flying monkey’s when I need them. XXOO V.
Fear not Virginia……….there is enough garlic in the garage to protect you and your village from the kindliffesserbrunner! You are safe, besides Sir Oswald stands guard during the night, protecting you from all…………and looking for a hole in the garden fence!
What a beautiful post! Thanks for sharing your travels and letting me feel as if I had been there!
Thank you so much for your lovely words. So glad you enjoyed.
Yes, I did so enjoy visiting Berne with you! You are so kind to let us tag along and even share your soup and chocolate. It looks like a magical place with cellar doors leading to more magic. I really liked the Munster but the child eater was a bit scary. Until next time…
So happy you enjoyed the visit! The Munster was so light and beautiful………the additional of the May Poles made it such a happy place.
Dear Tin Man, Your travel photographs are fantastical. I can almost feel the fresh crisp air. I keep scrolling up and down the post, studying the fountains and statues. The shots of the clouds work so well with the pic of the Cappuccino! Say, I think the rescue dog “Barry” is now at the Natural History Museum of Bern. I’m off now to check my notes. . .T. (Thanks for the break! Did you go up in the big wheel?)
My dearest Theadora……thank you so very much for your beautiful words and for visiting Berne with us! Yes! you are correct about Barry, he now resides in the Natural History Museum in a most unnatural state! XX)) Tinny ……..and no we did not go up the big wheel.
Glad to see that I am not the only one who loves Berne!!! Lovely pictures!
Thank you! Yes, isn’t Bern just wonderful. I felt like we had entered another realm of existence.
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I really enjoyed Berne too. I climbed the stairs to see Einstein’s flat and also found lots of delicious chocolate there. Great pictures!
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Grateful for sharing tthis