Bern

LGBT Travel Guide

Why you should go to Bern!

German-speaking Bern on the western side of the country is an exquisitely preserved historic old town that has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983. Its heraldic symbol is the bear. Should anyone forget it, live bears have been displayed in town since the 16th century, early on in a pit and now in an elaborate open-air bear park. Begun in the 12th century on a hilly peninsula created by a loop in the River Aare, the city spread into the surrounding plain. The nation's "federal city" and seat of Parliament, it is within easy striking distance of idyllic lakes and the Bernese Alps that have peaks of more than 12,000 ft (3,660 m), Emmenthal, the region producing the most popular Swiss cheese, is less than an hour away.

The quaint streets of old town discourage modern conveyances like the automobile. The compact neighborhood can best seen on foot although Segway and rickshaw tours are available. Among the sights are the elaborate medieval clock tower with moving puppets and a town hall and Gothic cathedral, both dating from the 15th century. Bern also has Europe's longest covered shopping promenade - four miles (6 km) of medieval arcades locals call "Lauben" that protect against all manner of weather. Behind many historic facades, are inviting bars, boutiques and cabarets. More contemporary attractions are the world's largest collection of Paul Klee works in a cultural center designed by Renzo Piano and the Einstein House where the famous physicist lived briefly in the early 20th century while working in the patent office and pondering relativity.

Bern lacks Zurich's glitzy LGBTQ nightlife, but it has an active LGBTQ community; Gaywest, an all-day queer street party and after parties in September; Queersicht, an annual LGBT film festival in early November; Pink Cross, a national umbrella association for gay and lesbian organizations in Switzerland; the HAB services and advocacy club and Pink Mama Theater, a queer/punk pan-European theater and dance company.

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