EUROPE 02-Switzerland-Bern (19/08/02)

Our last stop in Switzerland in this trip was Bern, the capital of Switzerland. Actually, it was more of a stopover from Interlaken for us to take the TGV (bullet train) to Paris. So it was a bonus as we did not plan to visit this beautiful city orignally.

Bern's city center is largely medieval and has been recognised by UNESCO as a Cultural World Heritage Site.

The Zytglogge ("Time Bell"), an elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets. We skipped our lunch to wait for the puppets to move at the stated time (can't remember the time) but nothing happened!

The Bern Town Hall.

There are many fountains in the narrow streets of Bern. Can't remember what is the name of this one.

Old town of Bern and the Aare river.

The tower in the background is the Berne Munster (Cathedral)

The bear is a symbol of Berne. Since the 16th century, the city has had a bear pit.

The entrance to the Munster has the most complete late Gothic sculpture collections in Europe. This collection represents the Christian belief in a Last Judgment where the wicked will be separated from the righteous. This sculpture shows the wicked naked on the left, while the righteous stand clothed in white on the right. In the center is Justice, with Saints and the wise and foolish virgins around her. In the center stands Micheal the Archangel with a raised sword.

The Federal Palace (Bundeshaus) houses the swiss national parliament.