Bern - Bicycling Anyone?

Bern is the Swiss city of Bears

As reflected in its Canton's flag, it is Switzerland's capital with a population of 140,000, or 360,000 for the larger incorporated area, and Switzerland's fourth most populous city. (There are 26 Cantons in Switzerland, each with its own flag that flies along with the Swiss flag. More on that later.) 

It is also the city where Einstein lived in a 2nd floor apartment above one of the main cobblestone streets in the old town center between 1903 and 1905, when he first developed his theory of relativity, while working as a patent examiner. Oh, and by the way the small cafe downstairs isn't bad either. 

Like most European cities with Medieval roots, Bern Minster is the cities major Cathedral. Begun in 1421, it evolved into a Gothic style, was completed in 1893 and has towers of 330 feet. It is now a Swiss Reformed Cathedral and the tallest cathedral in Switzerland. It is well known for the detailed relief of The Lad Judgement above the main door. Michael the Archangel holds his sword, with the wicked naked on the left and the righteous clothed in white on the right.   

The Medieval Zytglogge clock tower at the end of Kramgasse is from 1220 and originally defined the edge of the city. Below the clock face is an astronomical clock with moving pieces that delight when it  chimes every 15 minutes. For those with a burning curiosity, you can climb the steps to go inside the tower and see its workings. As is often the case, on the hour and noontime are  the really big shows with moving parts that reinforce a story of time passing and personal responsibility. 

The old town streets are charming and a UNESCO Heritage site since 1983. They are particularly wide and cobblestoned, punctuated with statuary fountains that boast flowers at this time of year. These bears, soldiers and notable personalities are seen hovering above stone fountains with copper pipes that jut out delivering the coldest, clearest  pure water - from the Aare River, a major contributory, on its way to the Rhine.

Karen samples the fountain's water near the clock tower and agrees that we should all get out our water bottles! 

When we were there on Juky 20th,  the city was ready to welcome a couple of hundred two wheeled international athletes. Suddenly at 1:30, everyone politely stepped away and cleared a path, chearing as they peddled, streaking through from Bern to Finhaut-Emosson (Switzerland), a mere 184.5KM distance. It was a short run for the participants - unforgettable for us and took no longer than 36 seconds - we know because Steve taped the whole thing. 

Naturally you can purchase a Tour de France "fan kit", complete with hat, shirt, water bottle and backpack, as modeled by our friends Suzy and Vic. Even without the colorful fan kit, an unforgettable experience!

Bern is ranked one of the top ten cities in the world for quality of life. That pretty much says it all.