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The Bärengraben (Bear Park) is an open-air enclosure along the Aar river where Bern's heraldic bears live in semi-natural conditions. Bears have been kept in Bern since the 15th century, and the current park — a modern, humane redesign — was opened in 2009.
Bear-keeping in Bern dates to 1513, when soldiers brought a live bear back from the Battle of Novara. The bears were long kept in a concrete pit (the original Bärengraben), which was replaced in 2009 by a 6,000-square-metre riverside park designed by animal welfare standards. The old pit is still visible and serves as interpretation space.