Bern: Origins & Founding – Bern – Citizenship Test
In 1191, a duke named Berchtold V founded a city on a peninsula surrounded by the Aare River. He named it after the first animal he killed on a hunt - a bear. That city, Bern, would grow from a small …
In 1191, a duke named Berchtold V founded a city on a peninsula surrounded by the Aare River. He named it after the first animal he killed on a hunt - a bear. That city, Bern, would grow from a small fortified settlement into the capital of a powerful medieval city-state and eventually the federal city of Switzerland. Let's discover how a bear hunt became the origin story of Switzerland's second-largest city.
Foundation by Duke Berchtold V (1191)
Historical Foundation:
- 1191: Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen founded the city of Bern
- Strategic location on a peninsula formed by a bend in the Aare River
- Natural defenses on three sides made it ideal for a fortified settlement
- Planned as a medieval city with a grid-like street layout
- Originally part of the Holy Roman Empire
The Bear Legend:
- According to legend, Duke Berchtold decided to name the city after the first animal he killed while hunting
- He killed a bear (Bär in German)
- Thus, the city was named "Bern" (from bear)
- Historical Reality: The name likely originates from "Verona" or the Celtic "bern" (meaning split/gap)
- Nevertheless, the bear legend became central to Bern's identity
Early Growth:
- Became a free imperial city in 1218 (after the extinction of the Zähringen line)
- Received important privileges from the Holy Roman Emperors
- Expanded its territory through conquest and purchase
- Became prosperous through trade and administration
The Bear as Bern's Symbol
The Bear in Bern's Identity:
Coat of Arms:
- The bear appears in Bern's coat of arms (black bear on a yellow/golden background)
- One of the most recognizable cantonal flags in Switzerland
- The bear is walking upright in a rampant position
Bear Keeping Tradition:
- Bears have been kept in Bern since at least 1513 (after the Battle of Novara)
- Bernese troops captured a live bear from Italy and brought it home
- Bear Pit (Bärengraben) - historical bear enclosure in the old town
- Modern Bear Park (BärenPark) - improved bear habitat, opened in 2009
- Bears have access to the Aare River and much more space
Current Bears:
- The bears are Bern's most famous residents
- Can be visited for free by the public
- Living symbol of the city's legendary founding
Cultural Significance:
- The bear appears throughout the city in fountains, sculptures, and logos
- Source of civic pride and identity
- The city takes its bears very seriously!
The name of the duke who founded Bern - Berchtold V - is immortalized in the famous Clock Tower (Zytglogge) in Bern's old town. The astronomical clock, built in 1530, features mechanical figures that perform every hour. For nearly 500 years, crowds have gathered to watch the golden rooster crow, bears parade by, and a jester ring the bells!
Remember Bern's origins: Founded in 1191 by Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen. Bear legend - he named the city after the first animal he killed hunting (a bear, Bär). Became a free imperial city in 1218. Bears kept since 1513 (after Novara). The bear is everywhere in Bern - coat of arms, fountains, and the Bear Park! The city's name even comes from that legendary hunting trip.