Page 72 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Switzerland

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
was used as a prison, and
Bundesplatz, a brightly
than a square. Seamlessly
since 1999 it has been a venue
continued by another square,
coloured sound and
Waisenhausplatz, on its north
for political seminars, forums
light show. Perfor-
side, only a fountain marks
charge and take place
On its southern side the
the division between the two.
several times a day.
Bärenplatz (Bear Square) is and exhibitions. mances are free of
square adjoins Bundesplatz,
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.

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