Swiss Day 5 : Bern

19 August 2015 

It was time for Bern today.

But not before another picturesque view of beautiful morning in Luzern.

Bern was just an hour away from Luzern via train.

They said that Bern is a picture-postcard old town. It is the capital of Switzerland and also a Unesco World Heritage site. With its 6 km of limestone buildings and medieval arcades, its Renaissance fountains with colorful figures, and the beautiful Cathedral surrounded by picturesque rooftops, Bern, founded in 1191, is truly a gem of medieval architecture in Europe. It also boasts on of the longest weather-sheltered shopping promenades in Europe.

 

 

We started our Arcades exploration at Spitalgasse area.

 

Then, we reached the Prison Tower. As the name Prison Tower suggests, this gate tower was originally constructed as a prison. It was Bern's second city gate.

Next, we continued to walk to the Marktgasse area.

We proceeded to walk straight to the Zytglogge. The tower is Bern's central landmark. This clock tower was the town's western gate from 1191 to 1250. They believed that this clock tower was supposedly helped Albert Einstein hone his special theory of relativity while working as a patent clerk here in Bern.

We proceeded to Kramgasse, the main axis of Bern's early medieval town plan. Here, they have three beautiful fountains.

Next, we thought that we need to have our lunch break. We didn't bring our packed food here as we thought that it was going to be a short visit here in Bern. However, even though it was just a short trip, yet we still need to bring along the food from our apartment actually. But, everybody was so tired enough to prepare for the food after that Zermatt adventure. 

So, McDonald was the chosen one and the 'cheapest' restaurant in town. Here, for a meal-set that you pay for only RM10 in Malaysia, it could cost you around RM50 here in Switzerland. Another reason for us to be so 'rajin' to cook for our food.

After we rejuvenated ourselves with some energy-booster, we went back to the Kramgasse area and continued straight to the Einsteinhaus.

It was indeed a very small apartment.

Next stop, Munsterplatform.This was once the cemetary of the Münster cathedral. Now its a public area where old folks play Pétanque (french ball Game). 

Before reaching the park, we pass-over the Munster St. Vincent, the German-influenced late Gothic style cathedral. It is the country's tallest church and largest ecclesiastical building.

Later, we proceeded to the park area.

The last stop for Bern was the Bundeshaus (Parliament building).

While walking back to the train station, my dad was interested to explore the nearby market at the Barenplatz area. We found an interesting group of people who really enjoyed their time with the giant chess board.

Later that evening, we went back to our apartment in Luzern.

:-)