Wichtrach

Längenberg

Wichtrach is a municipality in the Bern-Mittelland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It was founded on 1 January 2004 through voluntary integration of previously independent municipalities Niederwichtrach and Oberwichtrach.

Geography

Wichtrach is located on 538 m above sea level. M. about halfway between Bern and Thun, 11 km north- northwest of the city of Thun (air line). The village is located on the eastern edge of the broad Aare valley, between the Belpberg in the west, and the altitude of Häutligen in the east.

The area of ​​11.6 km ² large municipality area includes a portion of the Aareniederung between Bern and Thun. The western boundary runs along the channelized and straightened Aare, which is accompanied on long stretches of a forest belt. From the Aare, the communal land extends eastward over the approximately 1.5 km wide Talniederung and the gently rising slope down to the Wiftrechwald. This slope is divided by several small streams and valleys. In the area of ​​Hubewaldes is 810 m above sea level. M. reached the highest point of Wichtrach. To the southeast of the municipality spell goes on the moraine of the mountain Aher and in the opening out at Oberwichtrach and running parallel to the river Aare little valley between the forest and the sermon Lischiwald. From the municipality surface 1997 12 % came from settlements, 22 % of forest and woody plants and 65 % to agriculture; slightly more than 1 % was unproductive land.

Wichtrach consists of two districts:

• Niederwichtrach ( 549 m above sea level. M. ) on the eastern edge of the Aareniederung 1412 inhabitants ( 2007).
• Oberwichtrach (546 m above sea level. M. ) on the eastern edge of the Aareniederung, with the settlements Stockeren (532 m above sea level. M. ) and Stadel field (532 m above sea level. M. ) in the Aare plain, a total of 2478 inhabitants ( 2007).

In addition, include numerous groups of farms and individual farms to Wichtrach. Wichtrach is surrounded by ten neighboring communities, namely Münsingen, Tägertschi, Häutligen, Oberdiessbach, Herbligen, Oppligen, gravel, Jaberg, Kirchdorf (BE) and Gerzensee.

History

The territory of Wichtrach been inhabited since very early, which could be demonstrated by finds of wall remains of a Roman settlement on the Lerchenberg. The first written mention of the village was carried out in 1180 under the name Wichtracho. Later, the names Wictrache ( 1246) Wictraho ( 1248 ) and Wichterach (1271 ) published. A subdivision in superiori Wichtrach and inferiori Wichtrach occupied by 1266. The place name probably comes from the Latin personal name Victorius and means with the ending- oh-so- much like estate of Victorius.

In the Middle Ages the right to rule over Wichtrach was a long time in the Einsiedeln Monastery. In the 14th century, a noble family of Wichtrach is attested. In 1528 Wichtrach came under direct rule of the Bernese and the district court Konolfingen was assumed. It was Wichtrach location of a Venner court. After the collapse of the Ancien Régime (1798 ) Niederwichtrach and Oberwichtrach belonged during the Helvetic Republic to the district Steffi castle and from 1803 to Oberamt Konolfingen, which was given the status of an office district with the new cantonal constitution of 1831.

The quite some time on different areas closely cooperating communities Niederwichtrach and Oberwichtrach developed a fusion project that was accepted at the community meetings of 23 April 2003 by an overwhelming majority. The merger became effective on January 1, 2004.

Population

With 4089 inhabitants ( 31 December 2012) Wichtrach belongs to the medium-sized municipalities in the canton of Bern. Of the residents 94.7 % are German, 1.1 % speak Serbo-Croatian and 1.1 % Italian ( as of 2000). The population of Wichtrach amounted in 1850 to 1268 inhabitants, 1900 to 1370 inhabitants (total population of the former municipalities Niederwichtrach and Oberwichtrach ). During the 20th century, the population fluctuated always in the range 1500-1650 persons. Since 1960 (1632 inhabitants), a striking increase in population was associated with a doubling of the population recorded in 30 years. The settlement area of low and Oberwichtrach has grown together seamlessly.

Policy

The voting shares of the parties at the national elections of 2011 were: SVP 29.2 %, 18.2 % BDP, SP 13.9 %, FDP 8.8 %, 7.9 % GPS, EDU 6.3 %, 5.2 % EPP, glp 4.8 %, CVP 1.3 %, SD 1.0 %.

Economy

Wichtrach was until the second half of the 20th century, mainly coined by farming village. Even today, the farming, fruit growing and dairy farming and livestock have an important place in the economic structure of the population. Many other jobs are in the local retail industry and the services available.

Larger commercial and industrial zones emerged since the 1960s in the Aare plain, especially near the train station. In Wichtrach today among builders, computer science, electrical industry, the film and video technology, the automotive industry, food processing, horticulture and mechanical workshops are represented. Wichtrach is a secondary location since 1907. Based in Wichtrach company body shop Graber presented 1927-1970 fro exclusive bodies for upper class automobiles.

In recent decades, the village has developed into a residential community. Extensive residential areas were built in the Aare plain near the train station and a slightly elevated position above the old town centers. Many workers are therefore commuters who work mainly in the larger towns in the area and in the agglomerations of Berne and Thun.

Traffic

The community is easily accessible via. It lies on the old main road from Bern to Thun. The nearest links to the motorway A6 ( Bern- Thun), which was opened in 1973 and runs through the municipality, is located about 5 km from the center. On 1 July 1859, the railway line from Bern to Thun was taken with the Wichtrach station in operation. For the dispersion in public transport, the postal bus trips which operate the route of Münsingen via Wichtrach to Kirchdorf, Gerzensee and mill village provide.

Attractions

Today's Protestant parish church at the foot of Lerchenbergs was built in 1745. In the old town centers of low and Oberwichtrach numerous stately farmhouses dating from the 18th and 19th centuries have been preserved. The Schweikhof and Erlacherhof are stately mansions.