Summary: Swiss History

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• 1 Swiss History

• 1.2 MIddle ages

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• When was Bern made a free imperial city?

  • Established as a free imperial city in 1218.
  • Joined the Swiss Confederacy in 1353.

• What status did Bern achieve in 1848?

  • Bern was made the Federal City in 1848.
  • Acted as a de facto capital of Switzerland.

• What is notable about Bern's historic old town?

  • Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.
  • Located in the center of Bern.

• Who founded medieval Bern and when?

  • Founded by the Zähringer family.
  • Established by Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen in 1191.

• What language is primarily spoken in Bern?

  • Main language is a local variant of Alemannic Swiss German.
  • Referred to as Bernese German.

• How did Bern evolve in population from the 15th to the 20th century?

  • Had around 5,000 inhabitants in the 15th century.
  • Population surpassed 100,000 in the 1920s.

• What is the etymology of the name "Bern"?

  • The etymology is uncertain.
  • Local legend: Berthold V, Duke of Zähringen.
  • Named after a bear encountered during a hunt.
  • Possibly related to city of Verona.
  • Bern zinc tablet suggests Celtic origin.

• What key event is linked with the name "Bern" from the 1980s?

  • Discovery of the Bern zinc tablet.
  • Indicates possible Celtic origin of the name.
  • Word berna meaning "cleft".

• What was the bear's significance to Bern?

  • Bear was the heraldic animal of Bern.
  • Part of Bern's seal and coat of arms.
  • Early reference to live bears in Bärengraben in 1440s.

• What does archaeological evidence say about Bern's early settlements?

  • No evidence of settlement in today's city center before 12th century.
  • A Celtic oppidum existed on Engehalbinsel.
  • Fortified since second century BC.