Bärschwil

In the center of Bärschwil

Bärschwil is a municipality in the district of Thierstein in the canton of Solothurn in Switzerland. The former French name is Bermeveiller.

Geography

Bärschwil is located on 466 m above sea level. M., 5 km south-southwest of the town of Laufen (air line). The scattered village extends on both sides of Modlenbaches in a deep valley at the northern foot of the Fringeliberges, south of Birstals, in the Jura Mountains, in the Black Country boys.

The area of ​​11.2 km ² large municipality area includes a portion of the Jura Mountains. The central part is occupied by the basin Bärschwil Shank, which is drained by the Modlenbach and his right side creek north to the Birs. This valley is actually a heavily eroded anticline of Vorbourg - fold dar. yet for the most part obtained is composed of hard limestone of the southern limb of this anticline, namely the Fringelikette, whose main ridge runs the southern boundaries. It separates the Bärschwilerstrasse basin from Delémont and reached on the Fringeliberg 913 meters above sea level. M., on the right mountain 947 m above sea level. M. the highest point of Bärschwil. The northern limb of the anticline is based on the castle Hollen (632 m above sea level. M. ), a free-standing mountain between two deep valleys in the catchment of Modlenbachs, and the mountain of the net identifiable. The soft clay and marl layers were largely eroded over time, which is why the valley Bärschwil Shank has formed.

In the northern part of the municipality, the Landsberg is with the Red Flue ( 748 m above sea level. M. ), which is separated by the Regennasstal of the Fringelikette. To the north of this mountain has at an altitude of around 500 m above sea level. M. an agricultural country terrace before the terrain drops in a criss-crossed by rocky escarpment in the Birstal. The winding River Birs forms between the Liesbergmüli and the mouth of the village Bach Bärschwilerstrasse the northern boundary of the municipality. From the municipality surface 1997 4 % came from settlements, 53 % of forest and shrubs, 42 % to agriculture and slightly less than 1% was unproductive land.

To Bärschwil include the district Wiler, separated in front in Wiler (441 m above sea level. M. ), lower Wiler ( 453 m above sea level. M. ) and Oberwilerstrasse ( 497 m above sea level. M. ), all on the eastern slope of the mountain overlooking the country Bärschwilerstrasse situated valley, as well as various individual farms. Neighboring communities of Grindelwald in the Canton of Solothurn Bärschwil are, Montsevelier, Corban, Courchapoix, Vicques and Courroux in the Canton of Jura and Lies mountain and skiing in the canton of Basel-Landschaft.

Population

With 819 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Bärschwil one of the smaller municipalities in the canton of Solothurn. Of the residents 95.3 % are German, 1.0 % French-speaking and 1.0 % speak English (as of 2000). The population of Bärschwil amounted in 1850 to 656 residents in 1900 to 687 inhabitants. During the 20th century, the population rose to 1960 on 967 people. This was followed by a decline to 814 to 1980 inhabitants, before returning to a population increase was recorded.

Economy

Bärschwil was until the second half of the 20th century, mainly coined by farming village. Even today, the agriculture, the growing of fruit ( especially cherry trees ) as well as the dairy and livestock an important place in the economic structure of the population. More jobs are in small local manufacturing and services available, including companies in the construction industry, metal construction and mechanical workshops. In recent decades, the village has developed into a residential community. Many workers are therefore commuters who work mainly in running and in the Basel area.

Traffic

The community is located off the major thoroughfares, but is easily accessible from the main road running - Delémont. On September 25, 1875 the Juratrain from Basel to Delémont was opened with the station Bärschwil in Birstal. Today, however, stop here no more passenger trains. By Postbus course which serves the route from Laufen to Bärschwil, the village is connected to the public transport network.

History

The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1194 under the name Bermeswile. Later, the names Bermswilr ( 1269 ), Bermiswilr ( 1276), Bermeswilr ( 1283) and Bersch Willer ( 1307 ) published. The name goes back to the Old High German personal name Berman and thus means hamlet / farmstead of Berman.

Since the Middle Ages the monastery Beinwil land had in Bärschwil. The village belonged to the sphere of influence of the Bishop of Basel. In 1527 it was purchased with the high and low jurisdiction of Solothurn and assigned to the Bailiwick Thierstein. After the collapse of the Ancien Régime (1798 ) belonged Bärschwil during the Helvetic Republic to Dornach district and from 1803 to the district of Thierstein.

Ever since the 17th century consisted Birstal at the mouth of the valley Bärschwilerstrasse molten iron in which the bean ore obtained in the environment has been processed. In addition, two glass furnaces, but which ceased to operate in 1856 developed. In the second half of the 19th century, a lime and gypsum factory and later a cement plant have been established, which offered the people of the surrounding communities jobs. Even a grain mill and a brick cottage was in the 19th century in operation. Today, most industrial activities in the municipality of Bärschwil are set.

Attractions

The Church of Saint Luke was built in 1548 in the late Gothic style and remodeled in 1727 and 1928 ( the late Gothic tower is still standing ). In the center some characteristic farmhouses from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved.

The " Gritt ", close to the farm " Vögeli ", is known for its fossils from the Jurassic sea.

The Geological Bärschwil hike leads, well signposted and away from busy roads, around Bärschwil. The trail starts at the Hölzlirank post bus stop ( near the village of Wiler part ) and leads in the large arch over Water Mountain, Vögeli and Fringeli to the village and from there to the station Bärschwil. In part, he uses the reconstructed track of the ancient plaster track. At fifteen stations is made to geological features at each location. Bärschwil is ideal for a geological trail. The local Jura fold, the so-called Vorbourg vault is cut examples in halbklusartigen basin of Bärschwil. It takes a wide range of the most varied rocks of the Triassic and Jurassic periods to light. The water supply of Bärschwil corresponds to basic type to that of many Jura communities. In Bärschwil was mined in ancient times iron, limestone and gypsum and manufactured glass. In the slip region in Table 5 fossils of living creatures ( sea urchins, sea lilies, corals) of the former Jurassic Sea can be found. In the trek through space and time is shown, that our landscape is a current state, formed by deposition and erosion. ( Opened in 1998 ) The Geological hike Bärschwil is after the Geological Trail White Stone (1981) and the observation deck " dinosaur track plate Lommiswil " (1995), the third of its kind in the canton of Solothurn. The Geological hike is aimed at interested lay people, but also to schools. A flyer contains information on migration is also a route map.

Lime kilns Stritteren: In Bärschwil were restored ruins of two lime kilns and protected with a protective roof. It is the only remaining lime kilns in the north-western Switzerland.

Coat of arms

Blazon

Personalities

• Amanz Gressly (1814-1865), geologist and paleontologist
• Klaus -Peter Schäffel, Librarian and book illustrator
• Peter Hänggi, physicists