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Bern The city of Berne was founded in 1191 by Berchtold V, Duke of Zähringen, and became the eigth member of the Swiss Federation in 1353. Between the 14th and 16th centuries it reached the zenith of its power by enlarging its territory and gaining great political influence. 1798 saw the invasion of French troops and the collapse of the Ancien Régime of Berne. In 1803 the city became the capital of the Canton of Berne, in 1848 federal Capital of Switzerland. As the capital of Switzerland, Berne is the seat of the diplomatic corps and international organizations including the Universal Postal Union (a specialized agency of the United Nations). The region of Berne was settled as early as prehistoric times, and later by Celts, Romans and Germanic tribes. In 1191 Duke Berchtold V of Zähringen founded the City of Berne. The Zähringers came from a Swabian family of noble descent, rulers of the dukedom of Breisgau (now the German region north of the Rhine bordering Switzerland). The German Emperor appointed them Chancellors of Burgundy (roughly present-day Burgundy in France as well as the territory west of the River Aare in today's French-speaking Switzerland). As chancellors they were entrusted with representing the Emperor and protecting his interests against rebellious nobles, as well as ensuring safe access to the strategically important alpine passes in the Burgundy region, which were vital to the Emperor's rule over north and south, running as they did from present-day Germany to present-day Italy. Construction of Berne on the Aare peninsula. Natural protection on three sides; walls and watch-tower on the fourth side (now the Clock Tower), city moats. Berchtold V built the city according to a clearly defined plan, starting with the lowest edge (Nydegg) and proceeding in a westerly direction. Characteristic features common to all Zähringer cities: broad street for market (no central square); advanced infrastructure with utility water source (Stadtbach), sewage (Ehgräben) and drinking water supply (Quellfassung); right-angle street grid; lots divided into tracts of equal dimensions (so-called homesteads measuring 100x60 feet); imperial citadel (Nydegg Fortress, now the site of the Nydegg Church) separated from the main city: public buildings (Cathedral and Town Hall) set aside from the main city axis (which was reserved for commercial purposes). In 1218 the last of the Zähringer line died and Berne came under direct imperial rule. This immediacy was a major advantage. The city was granted various important privileges (self-administration, own court of justice, own market), as a result of which its power and influence gradually grew and the city evolved into the mightiest city-state north of the Alps (until 1798). Further expansion of the city to the west (Prison Tower, Christoffel Tower). Berne, one of the finest examples of mediaeval civic architecture in Europe. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
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