Biberstein | ||
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Coordinates: 47°25′N 8°05′E / 47.417°N 8.083°ECoordinates: 47°25′N 8°05′E / 47.417°N 8.083°E | ||
Country | Switzerland | |
Canton | Aargau | |
District | Aarau | |
Government | ||
• Mayor | Peter Frei | |
Area | ||
• Total | 4.11 km2 (1.59 sq mi) | |
Elevation | 391 m (1,283 ft) | |
Population (Dec 2015) | ||
• Total | 1,477 | |
• Density | 360/km2 (930/sq mi) | |
Postal code | 5023 | |
SFOS number | 4002 | |
Surrounded by | Auenstein, Küttigen, Rohr, Rupperswil, Thalheim | |
Website |
www SFSO statistics |
Biberstein is a municipality in the district of Aarau of the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
Biberstein is located on the north bank of the Aar River near Aarau. The town is a 17-minute bus ride from downtown Aarau. The neighboring communities are Auenstein to the east, Küttigen to the west, Rohr to the south, Rupperswil to the south-east and Thalheim to the north-east. The community of Biberstein occupies 4.1 km2 (1.6 sq mi) of which 1.81 square kilometers (0.70 sq mi) is wooded.
Biberstein has an area, as of 2006[update], of 4.1 km2 (1.6 sq mi). Of this area, 34.8% is used for agricultural purposes, while 50.6% is forested. Of the rest of the land, 10% is settled (buildings or roads) and the remainder (4.6%) is non-productive (rivers or lakes).
Based on archaeologic evidence, the Biberstein area has been inhabited since at least the 6th century. The discoveries have included a grave cut into the surrounding tuff stone, Alamanni graves and a Spatha that was found.
In 2005, the community celebrated the 725 years of Biberstein. In the 13th century the Count of Habsburg-Laufenburg built a castle, Schloss Biberstein, and the surrounding village to limit the territorial expansion of the Counts of Kyburg. The castle's position on the banks of the Aar River allowed them to collect tolls on the Aar ship traffic. Near the castle there was also a ferry that operated between Biberstein and Rohr until the beginning of the Second World War when it was replaced with a bridge.