The Old Town of Bern was listed as a UNESCO cultural heritage site in 1983, as a whole. It has many interesting attractions, but the entire historical center of Bern (Arlerbern) is of particular interest and charm, bent on three sides by the river Aare.
The best way to start your walk through the Old Town of Bern is on the main street, which runs from the Main station to the Nydeggbrücke bridge. The length of this route is 1.6 kilometers. First, you will see the Prison tower, which was the main point of the second ring of fortified walls, built in 1256. The remaining Prison Tower was built in 1640.
Near the tower, turn left and walk a few dozen meters to the bridge over the Aare. Here you can see the most famous fountain in Bern, the "Child Eater". Near the bridge on the left side is the Town Theater, and on the right – a monument to the Bernese knight Rudolf von Erlach. He commanded the army of the town of Bern at the battle of Laupen in 1339. At that time, the inhabitants of Bern were fighting the Habsburgs to retain the privileges of an independent Imperial town. The army of Bern was victorious in this battle. If you go to the Kornhausbrücke bridge, you can admire the greenery of the river Aare.
Then you have to go back to the Prison tower and go along the main street. Here you can see the galleries of Bern, passing under the arches of houses. On this street, they are very similar to the famous galleries of Bologna. Next, you will see the symbol of Bern - the Clock Tower of Zitglogge with an astronomical clock.
Continuing along the main street, you can make a stop near the Town Hall (it is located one block to the left of the main street). Then you come to bridge Nydeggbrucke. This place is probably the most picturesque in Bern. Many medieval houses have been preserved here. On the left side of the high Nydeggbrücke bridge, you can see the town`s oldest Untertorbrücke bridge (the Bridge at the Lower Gate). This very first bridge of Bern was built in 1256, after the Foundation of Bern. The stone bridge, which has survived to this day, was built in 1460.
Here are located the Nydeggkirche, Bear Pit and just a very beautiful medieval houses. On a high hill on the opposite Bank is the famous Rosengarten, the rose garden of Bern, where you can see hundreds of rare varieties of roses, irises and rhododendrons.
Back from bridge Nydeggbrucke need to get back on the South side of the Old Town. The Bern Minster is located here. Near the Cathedral there is an observation platform with beautiful views of Arterbern and the Aare river. Further West are the Casino of Bern and the monumental building of the Federal Palace. If you cross the bridge to the other side of the river at the casino, you can visit several museums in Bern, including the largest Historical Museum.
