Ring, Pedestrian square in Old Town of Bienne, Switzerland
The Ring is a central square in Bienne's medieval Old Town, paved with stone and surrounded by buildings in traditional Swiss style. Multiple streets converge into this open space from different angles, creating its distinctive layout.
The square originated as the region's main marketplace in medieval times, where merchants gathered to buy and sell goods. Its original geometric form and street system have remained unchanged since then.
The Ring hosts outdoor markets and seasonal events where locals gather throughout the year. The square serves as a natural meeting point for the community to celebrate and spend time together.
The square is easily reached via several approach streets and is best explored on foot. Commercial deliveries require permits and are restricted to specific hours to keep the area safe for pedestrians.
The square preserves its medieval street layout with paths converging from different directions at unusual angles, creating an irregular pattern. This layout visibly shows how the city developed organically over centuries rather than following a planned grid.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.