Swiss Cities in Depth: Bern
Welcome back to Swiss Cities in Depth , a series where I explore and share what Switzerland has to offer. In the last post , I wrote about Lugano, where Franklin is located. This time, I'll be talking about Bern, the capital of Switzerland! You may have seen it spelled "Berne," the French version of its name. Keep reading to find out about Bern's multilingualism, plus much more! Bern's Cathedral (tallest in Switzerland!) Brief History and Politics The city of Bern was founded in the late 12th century. It joined the Swiss Confederacy in the mid-1300's, soon conquering nearby territories and increasing steadily in population due to immigration from surrounding areas. After its original wooden buildings were destroyed in a huge fire in 1405, Bern was rebuilt with sturdier materials in a style that remains characteristic of the city today. In 1848, Switzerland was united as a federal state and Bern was made the seat of the federal government, ...