Bern was declared a Free Imperial city in 1218 as part of the Holy Roman Empire. It is currently known as a Swiss Federal city and is the capital of Switzerland. The old city was built on uneven ground, on a peninsula in the crook of the River Aare. In 1406 many of the wooden buildings were destroyed by fire and replaced by sandstone and half-timber framed structures. There are 114 Swiss heritage sites in the city and the old town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Approximately half a million people live in Bern and the surrounding areas, a large percentage of which are foreigners. There are 6 km of arcades and undercover shopping in Bern.
What to See in Bern, Switzerland
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