Bern

Bern is the capital city of Switzerland and a very nice medieval city (or at least the center where I went). I was lucky and it ended up being a nice day with no rain. I had to get up at the crack of dawn and catch the 7:20 train to St. Gallen and then sit on another train for 2 hours and finally made it there at 10:30 am. I managed to do all the things I wanted and even managed to catch an earlier train home than I planned so I was back by 9pm instead of 10. I was totally beat then and unfortunately had to get up earlier than usual today because Andrea had to leave early for a seminar. Luckily Ryan and I made chocolate chip cookies, so that makes up for it.

The Zytglogge

The landmark of the city dating to the 15th century.

The astronomical clock on one side

Baerenpark

The bear is the emblem of the city and they used to have bears in bear pits since the 14th century or some such date. Now they live in a nice park near the same spot.

Berner Muenster Cathedral

Front door with 324 colored depictions of the last judgement

View from the bell tower

Different view

The tiny steps up to the tower. I walked my butt off up about 280 of these.

one of the bells

Inside the lovely organ

Einstein's apartment where he worked on the theory of relativity

Outside of the apartment

Bundeshaus

The parliament building where the Swiss government is housed

The fountain in front

View from the park behind

Nice statue in the park