Schinznach | |
|---|---|
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 Coat of arms | |
 Location of Schinznach | |
  Schinznach  Schinznach | |
| Coordinates:47°27′N8°9′E / 47.450°N 8.150°E /47.450; 8.150 | |
| Country | Switzerland |
| Canton | Aargau |
| District | Brugg |
| Area | |
• Total | 12.23 km2 (4.72 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 383 m (1,257 ft) |
| Population (December 2012) | |
• Total | 2,239 |
| • Density | 183.1/km2 (474.2/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 5107-08 |
| SFOS number | 4125 |
| ISO 3166 code | CH-AG |
| Surrounded by | Holderbank,Linn,Oberflachs,Schinznach-Bad,Thalheim,Veltheim,Villnachern,Zeihen |
| Website | www.schinznach-dorf.ch |
Schinznach is amunicipality in the district ofBrugg incanton ofAargau inSwitzerland. On 1 January 2014, the former municipalities ofOberflachs andSchinznach-Dorf merged to form the new municipality of Schinznach.[2]
While variousRoman era bricks and coins have been discovered, the first record of Oberflachs is in 1342 asObreflaht.[3] Beginning in theMiddle AgesKasteln Castle ruled over the village and held the locallow court. Initially the high court was held by thebailiwick of Schenkenberg. However, in 1460, the high court was acquired by the city ofBern. By 1607, the village is identified as a semi-independent municipality. In 1732, the village came fully under Bern's authority when Bern bought the Kasteln Castle and acquired the low court.
Oberflachs was, like the whole Schenkenberger valley in the 18th century, a very poor municipality. Grain and vineyard cultivation were the major economic sources in the 17th century. However, in 1850, wine production collapsed because ofphylloxera. The poverty and collapse of the wine industry forced many residents to emigrate overseas. Eventually, treatments were developed for vineyards and they began to recover. By 1990, vineyards covered a total of 22 hectares in the municipality.
In 1960, the number of commuters exceeded the number of locals that worked in the municipality. However, the population continued to grow and in the 1970s several new housing districts were built. In 2005, agriculture provided 28% of the jobs in the community. A merger of Oberflachs with four municipalities failed in 2009 becauseVeltheim voters rejected the proposal.[3]
Schinznach-Dorf was first mentioned in 1189 asSchincennach, however, the region was occasionally inhabited as far back as theMesolithic era.[4] In addition to a Mesolithic shelter, aNeolithic settlement and twoRomanvillas indicate that the area was anciently inhabited. The city ofBern gained the rights to thelow court in the village in 1460. Politically, the villagers gradually gained rights from theirZwingherr, and by 1547 they had atown charter. A village school opened in the 1600s. In 1654, a sulfur hot spring was discovered near the village and the town of Schinznach-Bad grew up around the spring. It retained the name even after the spring vanished in 1670 and then moved to the opposite side of theAare river in 1691.
The local economy depended on thevineyards. When production deceased due to diseases in the 1870s many residents were forced to emigrate. Today, vineyards cover about 31 hectares, compared to 81 hectares in 1857. In 1875, a railway station was built in the village. However, the line did not do well and the station was closed in 1993. In the 1960s, the population increased and several new housing developments opened in the village.[4]
The village church ofSaint George was first mentioned in 1227. In 1650, a funeralchapel for the wealthy von Erlach family was built next to the church. The old church building was replaced with a new one in 1779.[4]
The former municipalities that now make up Schinznach have a total combined area of 12.24 km2 (4.73 sq mi).[5]
The total population of Schinznach (as of December 2020[update]) is 2,319.[6]
The historical population is given in the following chart:[7]
The Reformed Church and Erlach Chapel is listed as a Swissheritage site of national significance.[8]
The villages of Schinznach-Dorf and Oberflachs are designated as part of theInventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.[9]
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