Travers, Switzerland
Travers was until December 31, 2008, a municipality in the district of Val -de- Travers in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland.
Since January 1, 2009 Travers belongs together with Boveresse, Buttes, Couvet, Fleurier, Les Bayard, Môtiers, Noiraigue and Saint- Sulpice to the new municipality of Val -de- Travers.
Geography
Travers is on 735 m above sea level. M., 20 km west-southwest of the capital of the canton of Neuchâtel (air line). The village is located mostly on the northern side of the Areuse in the broad Val de Travers, surrounded by the hills of the Jura region.
The area of 24.7 km ² large former municipal area comprises the eastern part of the Val de Travers, which has a 600 m wide flat valley floor. East of the village, the Areuse describes an arc to the north, passing through the constriction between the steep slopes of Côte Lambercier and Côte de Rortier and then enters the valley of Noiraigue whose western part was also among Travers. In the south, the municipality's area extended over the densely wooded escarpment ( Bois des Lacherels ) on the anticline Chasseron. On the southeast it lodged Soliat up to the top of the rock arena of the Creux du Van with 1,410 m above sea level. M. the highest point of Travers was. To the north of the municipality floor extended over the plateau of Rotel and the Cret de Sapel ( 1,210 m above sea level. M. ) to the level of Roumaillard ( 1,263 m above sea level. M. ) and in the dry valley of Combe pellaton. This is in the catchment area of the Valley Vallée des Ponts, from the outermost part of the southwest to Travers. Especially on the high plain of Rotel and on the Cret de Sapel there is an extensive Jura mountain meadows with the typical tall spruce trees that are either individually or in groups. From the municipality surface 1997 4 % related to settlements, 43 % of forest and shrubs, 52 % to agriculture and slightly more than 1% was unproductive land.
To traverse the hamlet verse Montandon chez Le Sapelet ( 1,098 m above sea level. M. ) were (730 m above sea level. M. ) right Areuse, verse chez le Bois (837 m above sea level. M. ) on the northern side of the valley and on the southern slopes the Cret de Sapel as well as numerous individual farms on the valley slopes and the Jura hills. Neighboring communities of Travers were Couvet, La Brevine, Les Ponts- de -Martel, bread Plamboz, Noiraigue and Gorgier in the canton of Neuchâtel and Provence in the canton of Vaud.
Population
With 1226 inhabitants ( end of 2007) Travers was one of the medium-sized municipalities in the canton of Neuchâtel. Of the 91.0% inhabitants are French-speaking, German-speaking 3.1 % and 2.0 % Italian-speaking (as of 2000). The population of Travers grew rapidly in the 19th century and reached its highest level in 1884 with 2152 inhabitants. She then remained almost constant until after 1920. In the course of a decline of almost 50 % was recorded until 1980 due to strong migration. Since then, the population remains stable.
Economy
Travers was until the mid 19th century, mainly dominantly agricultural village. This prompted a rapid economic recovery through the settlement of the watch industry. At the same time was also the exploitation of La Presta asphalt mine ( southwest of the village ) is important. The plant of La Presta was one of the main asphalt mines in Europe and led the Val- de -Travers into the industrial age. The total of over 100 km of tunnels were exploited from 1712 to 1986. The asphalt deposit was discovered in 1711 by the Greek physician Eirini d' Eirinis, who was interested in the therapeutic use of the substance. After the mines had supplied over 250 years asphalt, they were shut down due to lack of profitability. Today, the building of the former mine house a museum. During the tour you learn a lot about how the studs with wood were stripped. In addition, presents an exhibition of the history of the use of the asphalt from its prehistoric beginnings dar.
Since the 1970s the industrial activity has been greatly reduced by the closure of several businesses. Today there are still jobs in construction, in mechanics and in the timber industry. The agriculture, especially livestock farming, dairy farming and cheese production, plays an important role in the economic structure of the village. As Travers has developed in recent decades to residential community, numerous employed commuters who work in the rear of the Val de Travers or in Neuchâtel.
Traffic
The former municipality is traffic moderately well developed. It lies on the main road from Neuchatel on the border crossing Les Verrières to Pontarlier in France. On July 25, 1860, the inauguration of the railway line from Auvernier took place at a train station in Travers Les Verrières. West of Travers begins the slope of this line on the northern side of the valley route of the Val de Travers, to overcome the 200 m difference in altitude up to the pass at Les Verrières. It was not until around 20 years later, on September 24, 1883, Travers valley line was - Saint- Sulpice opened.
History
The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1202 under the name transverse colon. Since 1229 there is the present name, which was derived from the name of the valley Val de Travers. Since the 13th century the village belonged to the Counts of Neuchâtel. 1648 Neuchâtel was principality and was associated from 1707 through 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, whereby the kings of Prussia until 1857 Neuchâtel trade also prince of Neuchâtel remained. On September 13, 1865, many houses were a village destroyed by fire.
Attractions
Already in 1228 a church in Travers was mentioned. The present building of the Reformed Church of Saint -Côme was built in 1569, the bell tower was built by in 1632. Beside the church stands the castle from the 17th and 18th centuries. The Catholic Church of Saint Joseph was built in 1939. It is also noteworthy that in 1665 created four-bay stone bridge over the Areuse. The houses in the village show a consistent style, as they are all built around the same time after the large fire.
Other attractions include the asphalt mines in La Presta which are just outside the village, with its museum and the tours offered. (see section Economy )
Pictures
Castle Travers
Pont sur l' Areuse