Why go
The Zytglogge and Käfigturm mark successive edges of the medieval city, while the station area lies near the site of a later western tower. Their positions turn an Old Town walk into a readable timeline. Bern’s later role in the Swiss Confederation and as the federal city adds meaning to its civic landmarks.
The full story
Bern was founded on the Aare peninsula in 1191 under Berchtold V of Zähringen. The story that its name came from a bear he killed is a legend, rather than a settled explanation. The city joined the Swiss Confederation in 1353 and later controlled territories beyond its original river setting. French troops occupied Bern in 1798, ending much of that territorial power. In 1848, Bern became the seat of Switzerland’s federal institutions. The shape of the Old Town still tells part of this history. The Zytglogge once stood at its western boundary. As Bern expanded, the Käfigturm took over that edge, followed by the Christoffelturm near today’s railway station. Walking west from the older core traces this growth without needing to search for every vanished wall. The Federal Palace then gives the later political story a visible anchor.
Useful to know
- Walk west from the Zytglogge toward the Käfigturm to follow the city’s expansion.
- Continue toward the station area for the later edge, then return to the Federal Palace for the federal chapter.