Bern: A Medieval Poem in the River of Time

Bern was founded in 1191 and became the official capital of the Swiss Confederation in 1848. The first stop on our tour of Bern is the Rose Garden outside the Old Town, which is located on a hillside and is the best place to overlook the Old Town. The red-tiled roofs undulate, the church spires point to the sky, and the distant Alps loom in the distance. The entire Old Town of Bern is like a solidified medieval poem. At the entrance to the Old Town is a small park or square, the most interesting part of which is the presence of a few bears. Bern's name comes from "bear," and the city's guardians live leisurely in the park. Looking at their adorable appearance, one can't help but smile. Entering the Old Town, the first thing you see is the long arcades. The sunlight shines through the gaps in the arcades onto the cobblestone streets, and the mottled light and shadows seem to tell the 800-year history of the city. In the distance, the sound of the clock tower's chimes can be heard, and following the sound, we arrive at the famous Zytglogge. Just in time for the hour, the mechanical figures on the clock tower begin to perform, the golden rooster crows, and the little bears march in line, making the gears of time tangible and vivid. Passing through the arcades, we arrive at the banks of the Aare River. The emerald-like river flows quietly, reflecting the medieval buildings on both sides, creating a moving picture. Strolling through the city, we arrive at the Einstein House. In this unassuming apartment, a young Einstein proposed the world-changing theory of relativity. In a corner café, I order a cup of coffee, imagining that a hundred years ago, Einstein might have been here pondering the mysteries of the universe. As the seat of the Swiss Confederation's government, another must-see place in Bern is the Federal Palace Square, which is surrounded by the Parliament Building and several bank buildings. It is said that the banks' vaults are located underground in the square, making it known as "the most valuable place in Switzerland" along with Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich. In this city, which is listed as a World Cultural Heritage site, every cobblestone is engraved with a story, and every fountain tells a history. Bern is like an open history book, allowing people to understand the charm of time while strolling. Here, you can not only encounter the romance of the Middle Ages but also feel the eternal charm of time.