Erstfeld
Seen from Erstfeld Erstfeldertal from
Erstfeld is a municipality in the canton of Uri in Switzerland.
Erstfeld located on one of the most important European transit routes, the Gotthard route. Thanks to the central location from here all areas of Switzerland in a relatively short time reachable.
- 3.1 legislative
- 3.2 executive
- 6.1 Jagdmatt Chapel
- 6.2 NEAT Gotthard Bahn and
- 6.3 Pot of Gold
- 6.4 Scheidnössli
Geography
The western boundary of the municipality extends to the end of the Erstfeld valley up to the two Spannort ( Small and Large Spannort 3140 Spannort 3'198 m above sea level. M. ). The majority of the township cover the Erstfeld valley with its enclosing mountain chains. It is a left-hand side valley of Uri Reuss Valley and is drained by the Alpbach. But lives only a very small part of the population in this valley. The place is in Reusstal Erstfeld. Left bank districts are Taubach, Niderhofen, Leitschach and Seewadi. The village and various other quarters as Bitzi, Ruti and Lussi located on the right side of the Reuss.
Only 167 ha or 2.8 % of the community are built-up area. Of these, 69 ha and 18 ha - building industrial area and 72 ha traffic area. More extensive is the agricultural land with 694 ha or a share of 11.7 %. Among them are large Alpine regions in Erstfeld valley and on the western slope of Bälmeten ( 2,414 m above sea level. M. ) and black ridge ( 2,018 m above sea level. M. ). They cover an area of 373 ha 311 ha These are meadows and farmland. In addition, 1730 ha or 29.2% of woods and forests are covered. Unproductive area includes the majority of the municipal territory, more precisely 3329 ha or 56.2 %. These are almost exclusively high alpine areas in the form of mountains, glaciers and other non-vegetated surfaces.
Erstfeld bordered to the west and north ATTINGHAUSEN, on the north by Schatt village, to the east and to the south by silenes Gurtnellen and Wassen.
Population
The population reached about the middle of the 18th century, the number of 614 residents. In the second half of the 18th century, the population grew slowly ( 1743-1799: 14.0 %). This growth increased then in the subsequent 51 years ( from 1799 to 1850: 30.9 %). Erstfeld was on the trading route over the Gotthard. This led to a further increase in population until 1880 (1850-1880: 29.3 %). The opening of the Gotthard railway line in 1882 and the establishment of a railway depot in the community led to a population explosion by the year 1910 ( 1880-1910: 166 %). In the 1920s, there has been a small population decline, followed by a further growth phase ( from 1930 to 1970: 44.7 %). Overall, the population has nearly quintupled in the 120 years 1850-1970 ( 1850-1970: 3600 humans or 393 %). Since the peak of 1970, a marked population decline has begun. In the last 35 years Erstfeld lost 738 inhabitants or 16.3 %. An important reason for this is the reduction of jobs in the railways, which had a major impact on the railway village.
Languages
The population speaks a high- Alemannic dialect. Almost the entire population speaks as a daily colloquial German. At the last census in 2000 gave 88.74 % German, Serbo-Croatian 3.74% and 2.39 % Italian as the main language.
Religions - faiths
The population was formerly full member of the Roman Catholic Church. The confessional relations in 2000 can still recognize the original structure. 3112 people were Catholic ( 79.13 %). There were 10.25% and 1.60 % Reformed Evangelical Orthodox Christians, Muslims 3.46% and 2.67 % non-religious. 89 people ( 2.26% ) did not respond to their creed.
Origin - Nationality
From the end of 2005 3778 residents were 3309 ( 87.59 %), Swiss nationals. The immigrants originate mainly from southern Europe ( Italy and Portugal), Turkey, the former Yugoslavia (Serbia - Montenegro, Croatia and Bosnia - Herzegovina) and Sri Lanka. At the 2000 census, 3451 people ( 87.74 %) were Swiss citizens; it possessed 66 people dual citizenship.
Age structure
The municipality has a high proportion of elderly residents. The proportion of people under twenty years of 22.65% of the local population is well below the percentage of people in old age (60 years and older; 26.06 %). Striking is the low number of residents 20 to 29 years and the high proportion of persons aged 45 and over. This is a consequence of the migration of young people since 1970.
At the last census in 2000 showed the following age structure:
Policy
Legislature
The legislative body of the municipality Erstfeld is the open town meeting, which takes place twice a year.
Executive
As the executive organ ( executive ) heads the seven-member council, the fate of the community. The head of the municipal council ( mayor ) is Werner Zgraggen (as of 2010 ).
Economy
The most important employer is the railway. In 2005, there were 47 agricultural and forestry enterprises that offered 119 jobs. Industrial employees working in 38 workplaces 643, the service sector in 86 farms 870 persons ( employment on a full- time equivalent ). The 2000 census revealed 57 agricultural and forestry enterprises with 194 employees. The census in 2001 came on 41 industrial and commercial enterprises with 624 and 101 services company with 917 employees. Of the economically active in 2000 1739 people worked Erstfeld 746 ( 42.90% ) in their own community. Overall, the place offered 1507 people at work, half of whom, precisely 746 ( 49.50 %), were locals.
The 993 commuters do their work mostly in other municipalities of the canton of Uri. Among 390 persons worked in Altdorf, 175 in Schattdorf, 41 in silenes, 40 in Flüelen, 32 in Bürglen UR and 21 in Seedorf UR. There was also a greater number of commuters in other cantons. Most important places of work outside Uris were the city of Lucerne (39 people), the community of Schwyz (32 ), the city train ( 19) and the schwyzerische Ingenbohl (18). But there were many commuters, namely 761 persons. These came mainly from the other municipalities of the canton of Uri. The largest number presented Schatt village (139 people ), followed by Altdorf UR (134) silenes (122) Bürglen UR (68) Flüelen and Seedorf UR ( both 27 ) and ATTINGHAUSEN (26).
History
The first human traces on Erstfeld floor are nearly 3000 years old. A magnificent knife from the Bronze Age was found near the Jagdmatt Chapel centuries ago. International Erstfeld made headlines in 1962 when two Italian guest workers randomly at the output of Lochertals discovered a Celtic gold. The old settlement core of Erstfeld is on the left Reuss where originally ran past the Gotthard route. Since the 13th century moved here daily local muleteers with their heavily laden horses over.
But Erstfeld was during this time never as important stage. This was to change only with the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882. Almost overnight, from the insignificant farming village an important railway location and, consequently, a railway village. Extensive railway tracks and railway building great shape since the village image. The train moved very quickly to many workers from abroad, which had a real construction boom resulted. Up to the present day, the service personnel change is made in Erstfeld. And depending on the division and tension load the locomotives will be replaced or a second clamped today.
Attractions
Jagdmatt Chapel
One attraction is the already mentioned 1339 Jagdmatt chapel. Here the Urner people met every year in late April for the country pilgrimage, which was an important political character over the years: After a ceremonial worship gathered the participants to vorzubesprechen the agenda of a few days later held rural community. The present building was built in early Baroque style 1637 /38.
Interior
Gotthard Bahn and NEAT
With the opening of the Gotthard Railway in 1882, the railway station in Erstfeld an important location for the railway and locomotive changes reproaching thrust engines for the feed heavier trains on the incline section of the Gotthard Railway was.
The depot Erstfeld is an attraction for railway enthusiasts. At the depot site a historic Gotthard locomotive Type Ce 6/8 ( Crocodile locomotive ) is issued. Erstfeld is also the seat of the Foundation Heritage Foundation SBB. Several historic locomotives are stored in the depot, including the SBB Ae 6/6 No. 11402, the second prototype of this series.
As part of the major Swiss project NEAT Gotthard Base Tunnel, the new Erstfeld will connect directly with Bodio Biasca in the canton of Ticino. In Erstfeld currently expects a large construction site, where there is an information center Alp. Opening of the base tunnel is planned for 2016.
Pot of Gold
1962 two Italians discovered during construction work ornamented neck and arm rings, which were identified as early Celtic gold work dating from the 4th century BC. The gold treasure of Erstfeld is considered the most important Swiss Celts find from the La Tène period. There are four cervical and three bracelets made up to 95 percent pure gold from a total of 640 g in weight, virtually like new woman jewelry. The Erstfeld gold treasure belongs to the outstanding masterpieces of Celtic art craft with few comparisons in Europe north of the Alps. He is now in the Swiss National Museum in Zurich.
Scheidnössli
World- known among geologists is the Scheidnössli at the northern exit. Here you can meet fourteen different layers of rock on within five meters.
Community Erstfeld
The community Erstfeld (also called EWE ) is an independent public institution and has its headquarters next to the Municipal House in Erstfeld. She is responsible for the electrical drinking water and for the supply of energy in the municipality of Erstfeld.
Even before the municipally owned power plant Bocki was built I, ordered the municipality Erstfeld its own electric distribution systems and substations. The current was then obtained from the EWA (electricity Altdorf ). On 19 December 1928, the nine-member study commission was charged with the planning of the power plant Bocki I. On September 29, 1929, the construction was completed, and the operation of the power plant Bocki I was taken.