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Switzerland

Things to see in Bern

Tourist information: 

Tourist Information Centre
Bahnhofplatz 10A
Tel: (031) 328 1212.
www.berninfo.com

The visitor centre's helpful staff provide visitors with the information and advice they need as tourists in Bern, and also offer help with accommodation, bookings and tickets.

Gurten

At 864m (2,835ft) above sea level, Gurten isn't really much of a mountain by Swiss standards. But it works a treat as Bern's own mountain playground. It offers a wide range of entertainment and cultural activities, concerts and games. The park is a great local recreation space with plenty of children's activities, a miniature railway and an observation tower.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: 3084 Wabern, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 970 3333.
Website: www.gurtenpark.ch
House of Parliament

The seat of the Swiss government and parliament was built between 1852 and 1902. The central domed hall and the two chambers on the sides feature numerous art works by Swiss artists. Outside, Parliament Square contains 26 fountains, each representing the Swiss cantons.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Bundesplatz, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 322 2111.
Website: www.bundeshaus.ch
Kunstmuseum Bern (Museum of Fine Arts)

Bern's Museum of Fine Arts has one of the finest collections in Switzerland. It spans eight centuries and consists of 3,000 paintings and sculptures in addition to more than 55,000 drawings, prints, photos and films. The collection of modern art from the 19th and 20th centuries (Impressionism, Cubism, Expressionism, Blauer Reiter, Surrealism) is particularly impressive, but works from the Italian Trecento and Swiss art from the 15th century onwards are also of interest.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Hodlerstrasse 8-12, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 328 0944.
Website: www.kunstmuseumbern.ch
Münster

Bern's cathedral is Switzerland's largest church building and a fascinating example of late gothic architecture. Building started in 1421, and the spire was finished in 1893. The views atop the tower are spectacular.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Münsterplatz 1, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 312 0462.
Website: http://www.bernermuenster.ch
The BearPark

Since city founder Berchtold V von Zähringen's killed a bear here, the Bernese have been obsessed with bears - hence the city's name and coat of arms. A new BearPark replaced the old bear pits in 2009, enabling the city's bears to lead a more normal existence, swimming and fishing in the River Aare.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Grosser Muristalden 6, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 357 1515.
Website: www.baerenpark-bern.ch
Zeitglockenturm

The 'Clock Tower' was built in the 12th century and was Bern's first city gate to the west. The famous astronomical calendar clock was created in 1530. Its mechanical figurines are set in motion on the clock's east side every hour. Join one of the tourist office's guided tours to visit the interior of the tower and discover how the clock's mechanism works.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Kramgasse, Bern, Switzerland
Website: www.zeitglockenturm.ch
Zentrum Paul Klee gallery

This gallery contains the world's most important collection of works by Paul Klee (4,000 works, or 40% of his oeuvre), displayed through temporary exhibitions as well as art workshops for children, young people and adults.

Disabled Access: No
Unesco: No
Address: Monument im Fruchtland 3, Bern, Switzerland
Telephone: (031) 359 0101.
Website: www.zpk.org
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