Dombresson

Dombresson was a municipality in the district of Val -de- Ruz in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. On January 1, 2013, it merged with the municipalities Boudevilliers, Cernier, Chézard -Saint- Martin, Coffrane, Engollon, Fenin- Vilars -Saules, Fontainemelon, Fontaines, Les Geneveys -sur- Coffrane, Les Hauts- Geneveys Montmollin, Le Pâquier, Savagnier and Villiers to the new municipality of Val -de- Ruz.

Geography

Dombresson is located on 742 m above sea level. M., 9 km north- northeast of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The village is located on the northeastern edge of the basin Val de Ruz in the Neuchâtel Jura, between the anticlines of the Mont d'Amin in the north and of Chaumont in the southeast.

The area of ​​12.8 km ² large municipality territory, which includes in its southern part, the northeast corner of the intensively farmed basin Val de Ruz, on both sides of the channelized stream Seyon. To the north extends the communal land over several mountain ranges, which belong to the Jura chain of Mont d'Amin. The southern ridge forms the back of Les Planches ( 1,059 m above sea level. M. ), to the north follow the valley of Le Coty, the densely forested ridge Forêt du Coty who is bounded to the west by Klustal of Pertuis, the Combe Mauley and the heights of La Joux Plane you. The highest point of 1,245 m above sea level with Dombresson is. M. achieved in the Forêt du Coty. In the Jura mountains are extensive Jura high grazing pastures with the typical tall spruce trees that are either individually or in groups. From the municipality surface 1997 accounted for 5% on settlements, 36 % of forest and shrubs, 58 % to agriculture and slightly less than 1% was unproductive land.

To Dombresson the hamlet of Les Vieux Prés include ( 1'030 m above sea level. M. ) at the level of Planches, the scattered settlement La Joux Plane you ( 1,180 m above sea level. M. ) and numerous individual farms. Neighboring communities of Dombresson are Chézard -Saint- Martin, Savagnier, Villiers, Le Pâquier in the canton of Neuchâtel and Sonvilier in the canton of Bern.

Population

With 1622 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Dombresson belongs to the medium-sized municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 91.7 % inhabitants are French-speaking, German-speaking 2.9 % and 1.7 % Italian-speaking (as of 2000). Dombresson had 1920 1282 inhabitants; the population dropped to 1950 to 963 inhabitants, has since then but again a rising trend.

Economy

Dombresson was to the 20th century embossed mainly by agriculture village. During the 19th century settled in the place a few plants of the watch industry. Today, there are companies in Dombresson precision engineering, mechanical engineering and some electronic industry. Agriculture is still has a great importance. While in the Val de Ruz prevailing farming, is operated through the Jura hills cattle breeding and dairy farming. In recent decades, Dombresson has developed into the residential community. Many working population commuters and work in Neuchâtel or in La Chaux -de-Fonds.

Traffic

The municipality is situated on the main road of Neuchâtel over the Col des Pontins to Saint -Imier. Dombresson is by bus Neuchâtel - Villiers connected to the network of public transport - Cernier. From 1903 to 1948 Dombresson was served by the tram Les Hauts- Geneveys- Villiers. It was replaced by the trolleybus Val de Ruz, which in turn was replaced by buses in 1984.

History

The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1178 under the name Danbrizun 1228 appeared the name Dombrecon. The name comes from the Latin Domus Bricii (House of Bricius, a companion of the Holy Himerius ). A treasure discovered in 1824 with 400 gold and silver coins from the time of Christ's birth points to an early inspection and settlement of the municipality.

Dombresson belonged to the rule Valanginian, some of which was under the Counts of Neuchâtel, partly the Counts of Montbéliard and in 1592 finally came to Neuchâtel. 1531 was introduced at the behest of the city of Biel, in the village of 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 present building of the Reformed parish church of Saint -Brice was created 1696-98. From the previous Romanesque only the steeple was taken. The rectory was built in 1730.