Picturesquely situated in a bend of the Aare River and framed by magnificent mountain ranges, Bern has been impressing its visitors for many centuries. Even Goethe was enthusiastic in 1779: "It is the most beautiful city we have seen." The capital of the Confederation boasts a completely preserved medieval town center, where significant buildings from the Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, and Neoclassical periods line the streets. Unique is the network of six kilometers of arcades, which form the longest covered shopping passage in Europe. The magnificent Cathedral, the Zytglogge, and the eleven Renaissance fountains, the imposing Parliament building, and the winding alleys by the river make a visit to the least known capital of Europe an unforgettable experience time and again.