UNESCO World Heritage

Old City of Berne

A tour through the centuries

The city, founded in 1191, is enthroned on a peninsula high above the Aare and still bears witness today to the ambitious scale of urban development in medieval Europe. It is a positive example of how a medieval city structure can be retained and yet adapted to also meet contemporary requirements. With its impressive closed rows of houses, its attractive roof landscape, arcades, cellars, towers and fountains, which have largely retained their original form, the federal capital city invites you to go on a tour through the centuries. 

Factsheet
Date of Inscription

1983

Criteria for selection

iii

Category

Cultural Heritage

Region

Berne

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Visitor centre
Old City of Berne
The tourist office at the main station will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the city of Bern and to book guided tours of the city: Visit ...
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Good to know
Old City of Berne
The federal capital city bears witness to the ambitious scale of urban development in Europe. With its historical arcades, cellars, towers and fountains, it invites ...
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Good to know
Old City of Berne
Criterion (iii): The Old City of Berne is a positive example of a city that has conserved its medieval urban structure whilst responding, over time, to the ...
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Our heritage
Old City of Berne
What is your role in this World Heritage site? As the judge of the Clock Tower, I have to make sure that the historical clock works continuously and as accurately ...
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