A couple of weeks ago we have visited the beautiful city of Bern. While my husband was working in the office I was enjoying the festive atmosphere. I was surprised to see that it was present everywhere in the city and not only on the main square as it usually is. I have always wondered how Christmas is perceived by those who don't celebrate, and live in a country where it is celebrated in a big way. But this is not what I want to talk about today. Today, I want to take you around the city and show you how Christmas is celebrated in this part of Switzerland.
I'm not so much into decorative ornaments, but I do love fairy lights, and I was lucky that we stayed until the evening, so I could enjoy them too.
Let's have a look! Ready, set, Christmas market!
After breakfast, I walked to the city and came across a cute festive village outside of the old town. It was early in the morning, so it was closed, but I can imagine many people enjoying their hot drinks here in the evening. There were many stalls with benches, and some of them even had comfortable sofas with blankets. Yes, you can leave things (such as blankets or whatever else) on the street in Switzerland and nobody will take it.
Last time I mentioned that a bear is in the coat of arms of Bern, but I didn't mention why. Unfortunately, it is not a happy story. It is said that the bear was the first animal that the founder of the city killed, and this is how the city got its name and its coat of arms as well. It doesn't make a lot of sense to me, but it was different times, and I guess that this choice was not so unusual then. However, I like all those bear statues across the city 😊 One day, I might walk around and count them all!
And we're coming to the first market! This one was situated right across the Federal palace. It is usually used for demonstrations, but in December it changes into a magical place. I must say that this was the first market this year with so many stands selling products made outside of Switzerland. I prefer traditional products, so I was not so impressed, but many people didn't seem to mind.
There are in total six Christmas markets in Bern, and I would need much more time to visit them all, but I have still manage to visit three of them in one day. Not too bad!
You know, everyone says that Christmas is not about presents, and in fact it is not, but would you not be happy to find such a big box under your Christmas tree? 😊 Well, well, I would be ecstatic!
Our Christmas tree has traditional ornaments made of straw and wood, but I always enjoy crazy ideas such as teddy bears doing various activities. And you know what? Just now, I have connected the dots and understood why the teddy bears are hanging on this tree (remember bears and Bern connection?)
It looked like every single teddy bear was doing something else. Of course, I didn't check them all, but this was the impression that I was left with...
Sledging with the whole teddy family...
Here you can see a bit of the market...
It is getting dark on this photo, but I didn't spend entire day outside. I had lunch, a cup of coffee, then I went to the museum, and only after that I went out again. It doesn't look like it, but it was very cold, so I tried to be inside as much as possible.
From the museum, I saw many lights across the bridge, and I decided to walk over there. It was next to the Federal palace, so this became my orientation point. Believe me, it wasn't easy as I'm used to using GPS and don't usually just 'follow the lights'. Finally, I reached the palace, so I could relax as the lights that I saw were just next to it...
The state employees seemed to be having a long day as the lights were still on. Or maybe it was just the cleaning services 😊
And here we are! Let me show you the views first before I take you around the market. Can you see the bridge in the back? This is where I was when I saw the lights in the place that I have just reached...
Somewhere there in the back are the Swiss Alps. One day it won't be clouded during our visit and I will see them too!
This market is called Berner Sternenmarkt or 'The Star Market', and here you can see why. It was located on a tiny hill, and there were stars of all sizes all over the place. It looks like a little village with numerous chalets offering foods, hot drinks and products from local designers and artisans.
The darker it got, the more beautiful it looked...
My husband joined me by then, and we were walking around together in search of something delicious to eat. In the end, we have decided to go to a restaurant as it was way too cold for us, and didn't want to catch a cold. Of course, we managed a cup of gluhwein before we left...
Are these supposed to be stars? I don't know, but I loved them!
We need some inspirations for our garden next year, and we might hang some lights like this in our 'little forest'...
Why would you put up one Christmas tree when you can have three of them that look like just one? 😊
You might be fed up with the festive content already, but this is all that we see those days and you can't really avoid it over here.
I wish Happy Holidays to all of you who celebrate!
See you next time...
