When the country transitioned from being a confederation of states (alliance of independent, sovereign cantons without actual unity) to a federal state, the Swiss population disagreed about whether the country should have a capital, and if so, which city would have the honour. The discussion ended with a compromise. On 28 November 1848, the National Council and the Council of States elected the city of Bern as the federal seat of Switzerland, but it would be known officially as the “federal city” rather than the “capital city”.

Many visitors from abroad are surprised to find out that Bern is in fact the “capital” of Switzerland. It would appear much more logical for the business metropolis of Zurich or cosmopolitan Geneva to enjoy this status. Why was Bern able to assert itself in the end and become the political centre of Switzerland? During this tour, participants will find out the answers to these questions as well as other exciting facts about the federal city.