Erlenbach im Simmental

Erlenbach im Simmental
Erlenbach im Simmental village
Coat of arms
Erlenbach im Simmental Show map of Switzerland Erlenbach im Simmental Show map of Canton of Bern
Location of Erlenbach im Simmental
Coordinates: 46°39′N 7°33′E / 46.650°N 7.550°E / 46.650; 7.550Coordinates: 46°39′N 7°33′E / 46.650°N 7.550°E / 46.650; 7.550
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Bern
District	Niedersimmental
Government
• Mayor	Martin Jutzeler
Area
• Total	36.72 km2 (14.18 sq mi)
Elevation	700 m (2,300 ft)
Population (Dec 2015)
• Total	1,704
• Density	46/km2 (120/sq mi)
Postal code	3762
SFOS number	0763
Localities	Allmenden, Kleindorf, Latterbach, Ringoldingen, Stalden
Surrounded by	, , Reutigen, Wimmis, Diemtigen, Därstetten
Twin towns	Erlenbach, Zurich (Switzerland), Erlenbach am Main (Germany)
Website	www.erlenbach-be.ch SFSO statistics

Erlenbach im Simmental is a municipality in the district of Niedersimmental in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Erlenbach im Simmental is first mentioned in 1180-81 as Arlunbach.

The oldest trace of humans in the area is the Paleolithic Chilchlihöhle cave. Neolithic remains have been discovered at Branteschopf Schwynbalm. Other prehistoric traces include the Bronze Age and Roman era artifacts at Balzenberg and Unterklusi and a horde of Roman coins at Stockhorn. After the Fall of the Western Roman Empire, the region remained inhabited. The earthen fortification at Chastel probably dates to the Middle Ages. By the High Middle Ages there were at least three castles or forts in the modern municipality, though only ruins remain.

The Freiherr von Erlenbach first appears in records in 1133. When the Erlenbach family died out, their lands probably passed through another noble family before ending up with the Freiherr von Brandis in 1368. Beginning in the 14th century, the Landsgemeinde, the direct democratic assembly, of the surrounding communities met in Erlenbach. In 1393, 1429 and 1445 the villagers bought their obligation to pay taxes and serve in corvée labor away from the Freiherr von Brandis. When the city of Bern acquired the villages from the Freiherr in 1439, they reconfirmed the villages' rights. Beginning in the 16th century they began to raise cattle, keeping them in the valleys for winter before moving them to spring pastures in the mountains. Over the following years, Erlenbach became a major cattle and cheese exporter. A number of local residents became wealthy from exports and built large chalets in the village. In 1765, much of the village was destroyed in a fire, though it was quickly rebuilt. Following the 1798 French invasion, Erlenbach im Simmental became part of the Helvetic Republic district of Niedersimmental in the Canton of Oberland. In 1803, with the Act of Mediation, it rejoined the Canton of Bern.