Bern

Bern embraces the antiquely historical and the cutting-edge modern

As Switzerland’s capital, Bern is an important city of diplomats and the site of many international organizations and meetings. It's one of Europe’s oldest and loveliest cities, with origins going back to the 12th century. Since much of its medieval architecture remains today, Bern evokes the feeling of a large provincial town rather than a city. In 1983, the United Nations declared it a World Cultural Landmark.

The modern mingles harmoniously with the old in this charming city, and in recent years, residents have discreetly added contemporary-style homes and structures to the historic environment. Such coexistence between the old and new is also evident in Bern's university, known equally for traditional studies and pioneering scientific research.

The city, which stands on a thumb of land that's bordered on three sides by the Aare River, has market days on Tuesday and Saturday, when people from the outlying areas travel in to sell their produce and wares.

Bern is also a popular starting point for many excursions, especially to the lakes and peaks of the Bernese Oberland, a vast recreational area only minutes from the capital.

© 2009, Wiley Publishing, Inc.