Bern – the capital of Switzerland was built on sandstone subsoil over the river Aare. The city was officially established in 1191 by Berthold von Zähringen. Bern has been the capital since the revolutionary year 1848. With its 270.000 inhabitants it is the fourth most populous city in Switzerland. Bern also represents the administrative centre of the second largest of the Swiss cantons – Canton of Bern.

Most of the local residents speak German – or rather Bernese German – a specific dialect typical for this area.