On October 14, 2024, La Poste invites you to continue the stroll through the European capitals, with a block of 4 stamps dedicated to the city of Bern. This series, initiated in 2002, is celebrating this year the 150th anniversary of the Universal Postal Union created on October 9, 1874, whose headquarters are in Bern.
The graceful loop of the Aare surrounds Bern, founded in 1191 on a hill overlooking the river. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the capital of the Swiss Confederation owes its charm in part to the architectural unity of its old town, which has retained its medieval appearance.
It can be discovered on foot along cobbled streets, sandstone facades and historic towers, such as the Prison Tower. After fulfilling its primary function from 1641 to 1897, it now houses the headquarters of the Federal Political Forum, a symbol of Swiss democracy.
From the top of the emblematic Clock Tower, which has kept its original astronomical mechanism (1530), the view of the city and the Alps is magnificent. You can see the bell tower of the Saint-Vincent collegiate church in flamboyant Gothic style, the first stone of which was laid in 1421. You should linger in front of the main portal and admire the realism of the polychrome characters in a representation of the Last Judgement.
Strolling through Bern is a pure pleasure, whether you are walking the 6 kilometers of arcades that cross the city or strolling on the majestic square with 26 fountains that runs alongside the Federal Palace, the seat of government.
Bern is also the headquarters of international organizations such as the Universal Postal Union (UPU), symbolized by the statue of the French sculptor René de Saint-Marceaux. For 150 years, with its 192 member countries, the UPU has brought together the world's postal players to provide a universal network of cutting-edge products and services. Bern is an inspiring city. Einstein developed his theory of relativity there, architect Renzo Piano made three waves of steel and glass emerge from a meadow to house the works of the Paul Klee Museum. And when you see the Bernese diving into the clear waters of the Aare, you can tell that it is a city where life is good.
