Old City (Bern)
Medieval city center of Bern / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Old City (German: Altstadt) is the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. Built on a narrow hill bordered on three sides by the river Aare, its compact layout has remained essentially unchanged since its construction during the twelfth to the fifteenth century. Despite a major fire in 1405, after which much of the city was rebuilt in sandstone, and substantial construction efforts in the eighteenth century, Bern's old city has retained its medieval character.
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Bern's old city as seen from across the Aare | |
| Location | Bern, Bern-Mittelland, Canton of Bern, Switzerland |
| Criteria | Cultural: (iii) |
| Reference | 267 |
| Inscription | 1983 (7th Session) |
| Area | 84.684 ha (209.26 acres) |
| Coordinates | 46°56′53″N 7°27′1″E |
  Location of Old City in Bern  Old City (Bern) (Canton of Bern) Show map of Canton of Bern Old City (Bern) (Switzerland) Show map of Switzerland | |
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The Old City is home to Switzerland's tallest minster as well as other churches, bridges and a large collection of Renaissance fountains. In addition to many historical buildings, the seats of the federal, cantonal and municipal government are also situated in the Old City. It is a UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site since 1983 due to the compact and generally intact medieval core and is an excellent example of incorporating the modern world into a medieval city. Numerous buildings in the Old City have been designated as Swiss Cultural Properties of National Significance, as well as the entire Old City.[1]