Cressier, Neuchâtel

Cressier from vineyard Landeron

Cressier is a municipality in the district of Neuchâtel canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. The former German name Grissach is rarely used today.

Geography

Cressier is on 436 m above sea level. M., 10 km northeast of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The village is located at the foot of the Jura, on both sides of the village Bach Ruhaut, on the northern edge of the Zihlebene between Neuchâtel and Biel.

The area of ​​8.6 km ² large municipality area includes the southeastern part a portion of the Zihlebene. The southern border is the Zihlkanal. From here, the area extends northward over the refinery site and the agricultural plain, where there is still an arm of the former Zihl. In the north of the municipal area extends the largely forested Jura southern slopes ( Forêt de l' Eter ), which is divided by the scores of streams and Ruhaut Mortruz. In one corner is Cressier extends westward to the edge of the height of Chaumont, where with 1'070 m above sea level. M. the highest point of the municipality is located. From the municipality surface 1997 15 % came from settlements, 54 % of forest and shrubs, 29% to agriculture and about 2% was unproductive land.

To Cressier include the hamlet Frochaux, 627 m above sea level. M. at the Jura south slope by the stream Mortruz, and some individual farms. Neighboring communities of Cressier are Cornaux, Saint -Blaise, Neuchatel, Pencil and Le Landeron in the canton of Neuchâtel and Gals in the Canton of Bern.

Population

With 1923 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Cressier belongs to the medium-sized municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 79.9 % inhabitants are French-speaking, 5.5 % and 5.2 % Italian- German-speaking (as of 2000). The population has increased steadily since 1850 (then 607 inhabitants).

Economy

Cressier was until the 1960s a mainly dominantly agricultural village, but has since developed into industrial and residential community. Today in agriculture especially viticulture importance. The municipal area are planted on the slopes above the village vines. In the years 1964-66 the Cressier refinery was built in the Zihlebene that relates the oil via a pipeline from Fos -sur- Mer near Marseille. The tanks are located partly in the municipality of Cornaux.

Traffic

The community is conveniently moderately well developed. It lies on the main road 5 of Biel / Bienne to Neuchâtel and the A5 motorway. On 7 November 1859, the railway line from Neuchatel to Le Landeron opened with a station in Cressier.

History

The first mention of Cressier was in 1180 under the name Crisciaco, which dates back to the Gallo-Roman personal name Criscius. The area of Cressier but was settled much earlier. 1936-37 a grave mounds from the Middle Bronze Age was exposed at La Baraque the Jura south slope, which was also used in the Iron Age burials and rich grave goods contained.

Cressier belonged from the 13th century to the County of Neuchâtel and was part of the castle Bailiwick Le Landeron. It closed in 1449 a castle legal contract with Solothurn from. Under the influence of Solothurn and the local noble family Vallier Cressier was during the Reformation in the Catholic faith and was a long time haven for people who refused to accept the Reformation. 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.

Attractions

The Catholic church Saint- Martin was built 1873-1875 in neo-gothic style on the site of the Rosary Chapel and includes parts of the interior of the former church of Cressier, which is now integrated into the lock Jeanjaquet. The Castle of Cressier, flanked by rectangular towers, was built in 1610-1616 and is surrounded by a wall. Today, the town hall and a school are housed in the building. In the center stands the Maison Vallier, which was created in 1572 for Pierre Vallier, Governor of Neuchâtel. It has a corner tower and portal and windows in Renaissance style. Addition, there are a stone cross of 1654 and the lions fountain from 1584. Cressier In the center of numerous patrician houses are preserved from the 15th to 18th centuries.