Bärenplatz
Encyclopedia
The Bärenplatz is a plaza in the Old City of Bern, the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland
. It is part of the Innere Neustadt
which was built during the second expansion from 1255 to 1260. It is located north of Bundesplatz, west of Käfigturm
and south of Waisenhausplatz
. It is part of the UNESCO
Cultural World Heritage Site
that encompasses the Old City.
(Bear Pits). Then, in 1578 the bridge into the Käfigturm was demolished and in the next year, the southern section was filled in. The southern part of the plaza was used from the hay and wood market. Then in 1668/69 it became home to the Rossmarkt or horse market. When the Bärengraben were moved, the northern section was filled in and came to be known as Holzmarkt (Wood Market). The middle section was then known as Viehmarkt (Cattle Market). The plaza is first mentioned as Bärenplatz in the mid-19th Century.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
. It is part of the Innere Neustadt
Innere Neustadt (Bern)
The Innere Neustadt is a historic section in the Old City of Bern in Bern, Switzerland.As the population in the Zähringerstadt increased, the city expanded beyond the original city wall...
which was built during the second expansion from 1255 to 1260. It is located north of Bundesplatz, west of Käfigturm
Käfigturm
The Käfigturm is a medieval tower in Bern, Switzerland. It is part of the UNESCO Cultural World Heritage Site of the Old City of Bern and the tower is a Cultural Property of National Significance The original tower was built as a gate house during the second expansion of Bern in 1256...
and south of Waisenhausplatz
Waisenhausplatz
The Waisenhausplatz is a plaza in the Old City of Bern, the medieval city center of Bern, Switzerland. It is on the edge of the Innere Neustadt which was built during the second expansion from 1255 to 1260, though the plaza wasn't built until later. It is on the north of the peninsula, and...
. It is part of the UNESCO
UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
Cultural World Heritage Site
World Heritage Site
A UNESCO World Heritage Site is a place that is listed by the UNESCO as of special cultural or physical significance...
that encompasses the Old City.
History
In 1256, the area that became Bärenplatz was a ditch that was part of the second city wall. In 1513 the northern section was walled off to become the BärengrabenBärengraben
The Bärengraben, or Bear Pit, is a well-known tourist attraction, an enclosure housing bears at the eastern edge of the Old City of Bern, next to the Nydeggbrücke and the Aare River. The bear is a symbol of Bern, both the city and canton, and is featured in Bern's coat of arms.The first records of...
(Bear Pits). Then, in 1578 the bridge into the Käfigturm was demolished and in the next year, the southern section was filled in. The southern part of the plaza was used from the hay and wood market. Then in 1668/69 it became home to the Rossmarkt or horse market. When the Bärengraben were moved, the northern section was filled in and came to be known as Holzmarkt (Wood Market). The middle section was then known as Viehmarkt (Cattle Market). The plaza is first mentioned as Bärenplatz in the mid-19th Century.