The capital of Switzerland, with a population of barely 140,000, is not exactly known for being one of the hippest and most exciting places in Europe. But especially in smaller cities, you can find real wonders that you wouldn’t have expected to find in any other city, let alone in this one.
You have walked through the city, past old houses to the bus or the streetcar. Your gaze only lingers, if at all for a few seconds, on the old sandstone building from the 18th century. But a look behind the facade of the old walls would be worthwhile in this case. Here, in Kornhausplatz, you will find the most magnificent cellar restaurant in Bern and probably in all of Switzerland. The dimensions of the Kornhauskeller are fascinating. In addition to opulent frescoes and fine wood paneling, you can also enjoy fine wines that are stored here in large oak barrels. As the proverb goes, “Venice lies on water, Bern on wine”!
Diamonds are a girl’s best friend! Here, too, it gets opulent. If you have a soft spot for all that glitters, you’ll feel like you’re in seventh heaven in Jörg Eggimann’s goldsmith’s shop. From gold, silver, white gold, and of course, diamonds, the independent goldsmith conjures up imposing pieces of jewelry of simple elegance. In addition to quality craftsmanship, Jörg Eggimann focuses on another often neglected aspect of the industry: fair trade. From gold, which is sourced from an Argentinian foundation, to gemstones that are neither irradiated nor chemically treated, all the materials used meet ecological and, above all, social criteria. In 2010, Eggimann received the Swiss Ethics Award for his pioneering “Fair Trade” jewelry project. So you can shop here without a guilty conscience.
Another true gem is located in Bern’s city center, more precisely in Kramgasse. That’s right, here you will find the Zytglogge Tower. What’s so special about a simple tower clock? To discover the wonder of the Zytglogge Tower, you need to take a look behind the scenes. The astrological tower clock, which tells the time, day and month as well as the zodiac and the phase of the moon, is a clockwork of enormous proportions. Wheels, levers, and countless gears mesh harmoniously and, amazingly, have been performing flawlessly for nearly 500 years. And so, hopefully, the hidden miracle will continue to run “tick tock tock” for the next 500 years.
Small but mighty, the Marzilibahn is the shortest funicular in Switzerland. The ride takes only about 1 minute, covering a full 105 meters and 31 meters in altitude. It connects the federal highway with the idyllic Marzili district of Bern. When it was built in 1885, it was considered a small technical wonder of the world due to its drive technology. However, after 90 years, some 25 million passengers and about 747,000 miles covered, the railroad was discontinued due to old age. Today, it’s running again, taking every visitor a short distance.
Ancient or super new? An eyesore or a symbol of cultural diversity? Opinions are divided on this Bernese building. Built in 1897, the Reitschule was about to be demolished in 1987 when it was stormed by young people and used as a cultural center. Since then, Bern’s Reitschule has symbolized living culture and extra-parliamentary commitment. Over 500 events take place in the Reitschule building every year ranging from concerts, exhibitions and literature lectures. Where there used to be a stable, there is now a cinema and a bar.
For us, it’s clear that Bern is small, but very nice! A city where you can find the unknown in the known and get to know one of the most beautiful cities in Switzerland, Bern!
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