Page 71 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

Must See
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EXPERIENCE MORE
4 has a slender lantern tower INSIDER TIP
topped by a spire. It was
Bärenplatz incorporated into a wall that Lights On Bern
was built to the west as Bern Every autumn, the
 B3 expanded, and was the town Bundeshaus exterior
EXPERIENCE Bern looks more like a wide street From 1643 to 1897 the tower inventive Rendez-vous
gate from 1250 until 1350.
This elongated esplanade
stars in the highly
than a square. Seamlessly
Bundesplatz, a brightly
was used as a prison, and
since 1999 it has been a venue
continued by another square,
coloured sound and
light show. Perfor-
for political seminars, forums
Waisenhausplatz, on its north
side, only a fountain marks
charge and take place
On its southern side the
the division between the two.
several times a day.
square adjoins Bundesplatz,
Bärenplatz (Bear Square) is and exhibitions. mances are free of
named after the bear pits that which is lined with cafés; a fruit
were once located here; the and flower market is held here
pits now display sculptures of on Tuesday and Saturday. attractive aspect is from the
bears. The Waisenhausplatz south – from Monbijoubrücke,
(Orphanage Square), now a Käfigturm a bridge on the Aare.
police headquarters, owes its ⌂ Marktgasse 67 § 031 322 The building was designed
name to the former orphan­ 75 00 # 8am–6pm Mon–Fri, by W H Auer in a bold Neo­
age that was once housed in 10am–4pm Sat Renaissance style, and com­
this fine Baroque building. pleted in 1902. Its central part
On the east side of both contains a spacious domed
squares stand the Dutch hall, decorated with paintings
Tower and the Käfigturm 5 ' illustrating important events
(Prison Tower). The Käfigturm Bundeshaus in Swiss history. Access is by
guided tour only. Free English­
 B4 ⌂ Bundesplatz 3
∑ parlament.ch language tours take place on
Saturdays at 2pm (book
The imposing seat of the online in advance).
Did You Know? Federal Assembly, the The Bundesterrasse, a
Bundeshaus (parliament wide promenade behind
There were bears building) stands on a cliff the Bundeshaus, offers a
living in Bern's bear overlooking the Aare valley. pano ramic view of the Alps.
pits until 2009. Although it faces A funicular near the western
north onto side of the Bundeshaus takes
Bundesplatz, visitors down to the bottom
its most of the Aare valley.
The softly lit arcade
under Bern’s iconic
Zytglogge, at twilight
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