Cortaillod

Cortaillod

Cortaillod is a municipality in the district of Boudry in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.

Geography

Cortaillod located at about 484 m above sea level. M., 8 km southwest of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The scattered village stretches along the edge of a plateau, at the foot of the Jura, south of the alluvial fan of the Areuse, about 50 m above the lake level of Lake Neuchâtel.

The area of ​​3.7 km ² large municipality area includes a section on the northwest shore of Lake Neuchâtel. The eastern part of the municipality lies on the flat bottom Aufschüttungskegel Areuse, where the river forms the northern boundary. To the west, the area reaches the plateau Cortaillod, the altitude of around 490 m. M. lies and drops steeply to Lake Neuchâtel, against the Areuse. The highest point of the municipality is located at 509 m above sea level. M. on this plateau southwest of the village. The southwestern border is a small erosion valley which opens at the old brickyard in La Tuilerie Lake Neuchâtel. From the municipality surface 1997 34 % came from settlements, 12% of forest and shrubs, 53% to agriculture and slightly more than 1% was unproductive land.

To Cortaillod include the settlements Bas -de- sachet ( 439 m above sea level. M. ) on the alluvial fan at the foot of the plateau of the Areuse and Petit Cortaillod ( 433 m above sea level. M. ) on Lake Neuchâtel below the village. Neighboring communities of Cortaillod are Bevaix and Boudry.

Population

With 4615 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Cortaillod one of the great municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 86.9 % inhabitants are French-speaking, German-speaking 3.9 % and 2.8 % Italian-speaking (as of 2000). The population of Cortaillod first developed only slowly, but increased markedly since 1950, with strong growth rates were recorded, especially during the 1960s.

Economy

Cortaillod has long been a mainly coined by farming village. The steep slopes of the plateau of Cortaillod are ideally suited for viticulture (see also the article viticulture in Switzerland), which today is important ( especially red wine, including the vin du diable ). The fertile soils of the plateaus are primarily used for agricultural purposes. During the 18th century the south Areuse were founded two Indienne - factories, including the Fabrique -Neuve de Cortaillod. This was until 1854 in operation, after which the buildings had some time unused until the 1879 FX's Cortaillod is settled, the (since 2001 under the name Nexans Suisse SA) is now the most important company in Cortaillod. In the second half of the 19th century consisted in Cortaillod a watch factory, and from 1991 to 2001 the church was the seat of the European Technology Center of Silicon Graphics. In recent decades, Cortaillod has developed into the residential community. Many workers are commuters who work in Neuchâtel.

Traffic

The community is located just off the main thoroughfares, but has a good connection to the main road 5 of Neuchâtel to Yverdon. The A5 motorway (Neuchâtel, Yverdon ), which was passed in 2005 the traffic passes through the far northwest of the municipality. Cortaillod is connected by bus line from Boudry to Saint -Aubin- Sauges and by a local line of Cortaillod after Areuse to the network of public transport. Between 1892 and 1984 the site was also developed by a now disused branch line of the tram Neuchâtel.

History

The territory of Cortaillod has been settled for a long time. Along the shores of Lake Neuchâtel four important settlement sites have been discovered from the Neolithic period, the numerous findings ( Silexsteine ​​, stone hatchets, axes and vessels) from the time contained about 4600-3900 BC. After the locality Cortaillod culture was named. Also in the late Bronze Age ( 1250-850 BC) was colonized the lake shore. It has a rich collection excavated to found objects ( axes, swords, jewelery and vases ). Among them is the oldest Bronzerad Switzerland. There are also traces of a settlement dating from the Roman period and at Petit- Cortaillod was a Burgundian cemetery.

The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1280 under the name Cortaillaut, 1311, appeared the spelling Cortaillot. The place name derives from the Latin Curtis Agil Aldi ( courtyard of Agilald ). Cortaillod came in 1311 as a fief to the Lords of Gorgier, but also the Priory of Bevaix had possession of the town. 1537 the Reformation was introduced. No later than 1545 Cortaillod went over to the lords of Colombier and 1564 to the Counts of Neuchâtel by purchase. Since 1648 Neuchâtel principality and 1707 was linked by personal union with the Kingdom of Prussia. 1806, the region was ceded to Napoleon I. and came in 1815 during the Congress of Vienna to the Swiss Confederation, the kings of Prussia until 1857 Neuchâtel trade also prince of Neuchâtel remained.

Personalities

• Ugo Crivelli (* November 4, 1923 in Ligornetto, † 20 November 1998 in Cortaillod ), painter, sculptor, engraver

Attractions

The Reformed Church in the core goes back to the 1505 built chapel of Saint- Nicolas. The present building dates from 1611, 1722, an extensive restoration and enlargement instead. Opposite the church stands, built in 1761 Hôtel de Commune with a richly articulated facade. In the old town still find numerous houses from the 16th to the 18th century.