The trip
"Berne could be something like the strong inner uterine Europe, stone as the uterus or the medieval ring of all cities. Berne had an arcade and some places that were like abandoned for ever and where ever it was dark ... ". The above description of the Swiss capital is the writer Francisco Umbral. I found it looking for some information on some bears, symbol of the city, before leaving to visit town. Threshold he wrote an article entitled "The bears of Bern". The late writer concludes his piece: "When I left the city just said goodbye to the bears, and even I was tempted to stay with them as a bear more. As we delve into the human we discover that man is but a bare bear ".
Bern retains a lovely old town where medieval towers give way to long streets lined with arcades, spent walking on glass block, sources are small polychrome statues crowned with strange, the rows of wooden windows are decorated with flags and coats of arms. There is much to see in the Swiss capital. El House of Parliament (parliament), la Zytglogeturn (Clock Tower), fifteenth century cathedral and wonderful porch or the other tower, la Käfigturm, served as a prison and entering the city by the eastern. In any case it is a place to walk slowly, lost in its fruit markets, mimbre or rope; see the shops open their doors from floor to basement, as if they sold the world from the stomach of the earth.
Finally, you can visit the house-museum of Albert Einstein, on the important street Kramgasse, where the famous scientist developed his Theory of Relativity (actually lived on a street farthest from the center). It's fun to see how the German genius came to Bern published a notice in the press which gave private lessons as professor of mathematics and physics, announcing that "the first hour was free, test ".
End, may be bears of Bern, perhaps, as said threshold "naked men"
But, and despite the pleasant surprise that this beautiful city is, I go looking for the story of bears held, hostage to their destination, which for centuries are the emblem of Berne. We arrived at Bärengraben (Bear Park) after crossing the bridge precious Nydeggasse from there the best views of the city. Then, right hand side there is a huge reciento, almost adjacent to the river where we see a huge bear sleeping on the floor while three cubs walk the hill before the eyes of tourists. These bears are the history of Berne.
Is 1224 Bernese oldest seal in which a bear is represented as a symbol of the city. But, is 1513 when the soldiers come home victors of the Battle of Novara carrying a live bear as a trophy. We decide to build an animal enclosure, a pit before the central door, Live and keep it there for the enjoyment of citizens. The tradition continues this way for centuries until French General Brune humiliated in 1798 to the Bernese after taking the city and take all the animals to Paris. Just leave a live animal that died shortly (is dissected and displayed in the Historical Museum). The city is bereft of its symbol for something more than a decade. And 1810 merchants of the town decided to give away a pair of bears back to the city.
But, bears would be in the following years as the location changed or sacrificed. In the mid-nineteenth century placed them near a train station smoke which ended with them. And 1913, the pit grew to 24 copies (record) and decided to dissect eight carousel to present at the Expo 1914. Since then they have been relocated on occasion more, improving their conditions of imprisonment emblem, and have seen some misguided drunken accidents, unbraked or brave cyclists in disuse. There have been six serious incidents in 140 years. End, may be bears of Bern, perhaps, as said threshold "naked men".
The road
Should not fly directly to Bern and overall a visit to Switzerland by car (most advisable), access by road from Geneva or Zurich is excellent and with the addition that in the country do not pay tolls Federer. Yes, the price of public parking is outrageously expensive.
A nap
We have no recommendation.
A table set
-Restaurante Kornhauskeller. Nice, antique look, high ceilings and an excellent wine cellar. The price is expensive.
-Münstergasse street is full of small restaurants in the arcades with reasonable price and menu option to medioía.
Highly Recommended
-Visit the House-Museum of Albert Einstein. Find funny stories of the German genius, despite having never lost his U.S. citizenship also Swiss passport.
-Near Bern, about 30 km, is the city of Freiburg. An also beautiful medieval-looking city with an elevator that uses a curious fuel. I leave you to discover it yourself.
