History of the Bear Pit
1224
The bear is officially chosen as the heraldic animal of the city. For the first time, the seal of Bern shows a bear in connection with the word Bern.
1513
The victorious Bernese soldiers return from their battle at Novara with a live bear as their spoils of war. They build a home for the bear in the city pit in front of the middle gate (today’s Bärenplatz). The first Bear Pit in Bern was born.
1764
The first Bear Pit is filled up and a new one is opened at the Bollwerk 25. Most of the bears come from the forest-rich bailiwicks in the canton of Vaud, in particular from Romainmôtier.
1798
General Brune, leader of the victorious French troops, kidnaps the Bernese and takes them to Paris. The only one remaining is a small bear that dies shortly after. It is displayed as „The last bear of Bern“ at the Historisches Museum of Bern.
1810
To the disappointment of many, the Bear Pit has been empty for seven years. But now, the citizens of Bern donate again two Savoyan bears to the city.
1825
The third Bear Pit in Bern is opened in today’s railway area, north of the railway control center.
1856
The first trains come to Berne, and the Bear Pit is moved to the Muristalden at the Nydeggbrücke.
1913
The Bear Pit can now house up to 24 animals.
1924
The small pit for the young bears is created.
1974
A first renovation of the Bear Pit leads to operational improvements.
1995
The Bear Pit is again completely renovated and its interior redesigned.
2001
The idea of a Bear Park on the slope of the Aare river is presented to the public for the first time. A large, bear-friendly open-air park on a surface of 10,000 sqm is planned.
2007
80% of the Bernese population vote in favor of the construction of the Bear Park.
2008
On January 14, 2008, the „Bear Park“ project is started with a kick-off ceremony.
2009
October 25 – The new Bear Park is opened.
