Bleienbach

The entrance to Bleienbach village

Coat of arms

Bleienbach

Location of Bleienbach

Coordinates: 47°11′N 7°45′E / 47.183°N 7.750°ECoordinates: 47°11′N 7°45′E / 47.183°N 7.750°E

Country

Area

• Total

5.69 km² (2.20 sq mi)

Elevation

483 m (1,585 ft)

Population (Dec 2015)

• Total

677

• Density

120/km² (310/sq mi)

Postal code

3368

SFOS number

0324

Surrounded by

Langenthal, Lotzwil, Ochlenberg, Rütschelen, Thörigen, Thunstetten

Website

www.bleienbach.ch
SFSO statistics

Bleienbach is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Bleienbach is first mentioned in 1194 as Blaichinbach.

Evidence of prehistoric settlements near Bleienbach include a Hallstatt grave mound in Oberbützberg, a High Medieval earthen fortress in Eggwald, and an ancient road near the village church. The low court and right to appoint priests to the village church were originally part of the Herrschaft of Langenstein-Grünenberg. In 1331 Johann of Aarwangen purchased a half share in the rights to the village. In 1432 some of the rights went to Bern. The remaining rights followed in either 1443 or 1455. Under Bernese control, the village was assigned to the bailiwick of Aarwangen. In 1826, fire destroyed the center of the village, though it was quickly rebuilt.

The first village church was, probably, a wooden church from the 8th or 9th centuries. It was replaced with a stone church built in the 9th or 10th century, which was first mentioned in 1194. That stone church was replaced by another church in the 13th century. The current building was built in 1732-34.

The local economy was traditionally based on local agriculture. In the 18th and 19th centuries, this was supplemented by the home weaving industry. The municipality's proximity to the Langenthal region inhibited industrialization but allowed many residents to become commuters to the factories in Langenthal. In 1935, a private airstrip for recreational flying opened outside the village.

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Wikipedia