Bern: The Capital of Switzerland

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland, located about 120 kilometers southwest of Zurich and 106 kilometers northeast of Lausanne. It also serves as the capital of the Canton of Bern. The medieval city center was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Bern was built on the banks of the Aare River in the west-central part of Switzerland. It is an educational and cultural hub of the region, home to numerous museums, festivals, historical landmarks, and theaters.

The city plays an important role in Switzerland’s sports tradition, as Stadion Wankdorf is located in Bern. It is one of the largest stadiums in the country and the home ground of BSC Young Boys. The stadium hosted matches during UEFA Euro 2008 and the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025. Opened on 30 July 2005, it has a seating capacity of 32,000. Bern is home to the University of Bern, established in 1834. It is a distinguished public research university with an impressive list of notable alumni, including Nobel Prize winners Charles Albert Gobat and Georg von Békésy.

The city offers numerous attractions and points of interest. Bern Theatre (Stadttheater), located at latitude 46.949295 and longitude 7.4474784, is a beautiful building that opened in 1903. It has hosted many famous performers, such as Agnes Baltsa, Renato Bruson, Käthe Gold, and Robin Adams. Zytglogge is located close to the theater, at 46.9480121, 7.4476521. This historic clock tower is one of Bern’s most important landmarks and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 13th century, it is the oldest monument in the city. Zentrum Paul Klee is a modern art museum located at Monument im Fruchtland 3 (46.9490563, 7.4742028). Established in 2005, the museum features artworks by the Swiss-born German artist Paul Klee.

Bern has a highly developed transportation system, served by Bern Railway Station, the Bern S-Bahn network, and Bern Airport.