Bern

Quick Facts: Who was Bern?

Subject:

Bern

Known for:

The federal city and capital of the Swiss Confederation, Bern.

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Bern (Swiss Standard German: [bɛrn] ), or Berne (French: [bɛʁn] ), is the de facto capital of Switzerland, referred to as the "federal city". With a population of about 146,000 (as of 2024), Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne. The Bern agglomeration, which includes 36 municipalities, had a population of 406,900 in 2014. The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000.

Career & Major Achievements

Bern is also the capital of the canton of Bern, the second-most populous of Switzerland's cantons. In 1983, the historic old town (in German: Altstadt) in the centre of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is surrounded by the Aare, a major river of the Swiss Plateau.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Although fortified settlements were established since antiquity, the medieval city proper was founded by the Zähringer ruling family, probably in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen. Bern was made a free imperial city in 1218 and, in 1353, it joined the Swiss Confederacy, becoming one of its eight early cantons. Since then, Bern became a large city-state and a prominent actor of Swiss history by pursuing a policy of sovereign territorial expansion.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1191: 1191 Milestone — Although fortified settlements were established since antiquity, the medieval city proper was founded by the Zähringer ruling family, probably in 1191 by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen.
2. 1218: 1218 Milestone — Bern was made a free imperial city in 1218 and, in 1353, it joined the Swiss Confederacy, becoming one of its eight early cantons.
3. 1983: 1983 Milestone — In 1983, the historic old town (in German: Altstadt) in the centre of Bern became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
4. 2000: 2000 Milestone — The metropolitan area had a population of 660,000 in 2000.
5. 2014: 2014 Milestone — The Bern agglomeration, which includes 36 municipalities, had a population of 406,900 in 2014.
6. 2024: 2024 Milestone — With a population of about 146,000 (as of 2024), Bern is the fifth-most populous city in Switzerland, behind Zurich, Geneva, Basel and Lausanne.

Notable Quotes by Bern

“Bern is the de facto capital of Switzerland.”

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Bern

True or False: “True or false: Bern was established as a major political entity before it joined the Swiss Confederacy.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): Bern was founded by the Zähringer family and gained status as a free imperial city long before its formal entry into the Swiss Confederacy in 1353.

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• Tolui — Historical peer (Born in 1191) (1191): Prominent general and regent of the Mongol Empire, son of Genghis Khan.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bern