Many would be mistaken in assuming that Zurich is the capital of Switzerland, however, Berne was chosen as the capital or not…

Bern’s official title is Bundesstadt, or Federal City, rather than Hauptstadt, or capital city.

Switzerland technically has no capital but since 1848 Bern has been the seat of the Federal Parliament and government so is the de facto capital.

These are some of the best images from our time in Bern in 2017

Bern Bahnhof Bus & Tram station

Bern Bahnhof Bus & Tram station

Next door to this station is the Church of the Holy Ghost.

Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Spirit Church)

Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Spirit Church)

This is the view looking towards the station from the top of the town

Heiliggeistkirche (Holy Spirit Church)

Käfigturm in Berne

Kafigturm in Berne

And from the other side.

Kafigturm in Berne

The below photo is from further down in the town looking back up to the Käfigturm.

Bern city with the Coat of Arms & Swiss flags flying

Bern shopping streets in the old town

The Zytglogge (clock tower) and the city’s medieval covered shopping promenades (Lauben)

Bern Trams & Zytglogge

Looking at the other direction

Bern Tram & Zytglogge

Zytglogge in Berne

Zytglogge in Berne

Bern shopping arcades in the city

Bern shopping arcades in the city

Perfectly protected in rain or on a super hot day. One of the best shopping streets in Switzerland.

Bern shopping arcades in the city

During the time of our visit to Bern, the city was home to many colourful Saint Bernard dog statues. The BernARTiner exhibition was on from July 1st to September 30th 2017 and featured more than 100 artworks each individually decorated by different artists.

Saint Bernard dog statues in Bern

Saint Bernard dog statues in Bern

St Bernard dogs in Bern

Brunnen statue in Bern

Lunch in restaurant Le Mazot

Le Mazot restaurant on the Bärenplatz Bern

Bern bus & tram

The same view but this time looking up at the Bern Zytglogge

Bern Zytglogge

The square (Barenplatz) with the Käfigturm and the Parliment building behind

Barenplatz

Below is a view you can see when entering Bern by train depending on direction.

A view from the train when arriving in Bern