Bern

Map

Switzerland doesn’t have a capital in the traditional sense, since it is a federation of 26 cantons.
However, Bern is the de facto capital, as it’s where the federal government is located.

The main street is pedestrian and tram only, and has an unique unified architecture style.
The city is built on a hill in a large bend of the Aare River.

I took a route down the middle from east to west, then around and across both tall bridges from south to north.

The view looking east is amazing and worth getting to.
The main Berner Münster (Cathedral of Bern) has a huge spire seen from everywhere in the city.

Next to the cathedral is the Münsterplattform Bern, seen here from the south, which is a massive plaza that was hosting an art fair that day.

There was also people jumping off the bridge to swim in the river.

I’m glad I stopped here on the way back to Geneva, its one of the more elegant places I’ve been.