Berne - Bear Pit & surrounding sights

(Local Name: Bärengraben) On the far side of the Nydegg bridge is one of Berne's great popular attractions, the Bear-Pit (Bärengraben), a deep circular den in which bears, the heraldic animal of Berne, have been kept since 1480.

From the road running up to the right (Muristalden) there is a fine view of the Minster and the old town. Above the bridge to the left is the beautiful Rose-Garden (Rosengarten), with views of the Aare and the old town. Just downstream from the Nydegg bridge at the end of the old Untertorbrücke (1461-87), in Läuferplatz are Berne's first town hall and the Läuferbrunnen ("Runner Fountain", 1543).