Swiss capital Bern has a centuries-old tradition of keeping live brown bears in the city center. (In a compound, of course.)

“Papa bear” Finn is taking a swim in the Aare river.

The current 5th incarnation of the compound, completed in 2009, is located at the eastern shore of the Aare river, just outside the city’s historic district.

Overlooking the BearPark, the Aare river and the the historic district of Bern.

In 2018, three brown bears (Ursus arctos) are living in the generous, near-natural facility which is built on a hill that descends down to the Aare river where the bears have a separated “pool” so that they can go swimming. There’s Finn, the father (12 years old), Björk, the mother (17 years old), and Ursina, their cub (8 years old). Her twin sister Berna has been relocated to a zoo in Bulgaria.

The now historic former compound known as the Bärengraben (bear pit) was built in 1857. It really was hardly more than a pit in the ground with bears living in it, but back in the day, was a world-renown tourist attraction already. Nowadays, tourists can climb down into the former pit just outside the new compound.

Young bear girl Ursina is sleepy.

These days, the bears enjoy a far more spacious abode where they can run, play, and swim. At the same time, it offers the tourists far better opportunities to watch the animals: they can watch them from above, looking down at the Aare river, or walk down to the river shore where the animals can sometimes be observed up and close. There is still enough room for the bears to hide if they want to have their peace, and there are artificial bear's dens where they hibernate typically from October to March. During this time, they can be observed through a webcam.

The BearPark is part of the city’s zoo named Dählhölzli, some miles outside the city, where more bears are kept, but also other animals, mainly from northern Europe, such as wolves and European bison; there is also an aquarium / vivarium.

Meals are served right at the pool.

Practical advise for your BearPark visit

Concerning	Info
Admittance	free (donations are welcome)
Opening hours	365 days / year
Best time to visit	April – September. During the cold months, the bears hibernate in their dens and are not to be seen!
Duration of visit	1 – 2 hours
Public transport	Use the municipal tram / bus network. It’s a 5 minute ride from the city center.
Catering	There is a restaurant with a panoramic view over the BearPark, the Aare river and the old town.