Kiental

Reichenbach im Kandertal
Reichenbach im Kandertal village
Coat of arms
Reichenbach im Kandertal Show map of Switzerland Reichenbach im Kandertal Show map of Canton of Bern
Location of Reichenbach im Kandertal
Coordinates: 46°35′N 7°39′E / 46.583°N 7.650°E / 46.583; 7.650Coordinates: 46°35′N 7°39′E / 46.583°N 7.650°E / 46.583; 7.650
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Bern
District	Frutigen-Niedersimmental
Area
• Total	125.73 km2 (48.54 sq mi)
Elevation	700 m (2,300 ft)
Population (Dec 2015)
• Total	3,549
• Density	28/km2 (73/sq mi)
Postal code	3713
SFOS number	0567
Localities	Griesalp, Kiental, Reichenbach
Surrounded by	Aeschi bei Spiez, Diemtigen, Frutigen, Kandergrund, Kandersteg, Lauterbrunnen, Wimmis
Website	www.reichenbach.ch SFSO statistics

Reichenbach im Kandertal is a village and municipality in the Frutigen-Niedersimmental administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Until 1957 it was known as Reichenbach bei Frutigen. Besides the village of Reichenbach, the municipality includes several other settlements, including Aris, Faltsche, Griesalp, Kien, Kiental, Ramslauenen, Reudlen, Scharnachtal, Schwandi and Wengi. Additionally, the village of Mülenen is shared between Reichenbach and Aeschi bei Spiez municipalities.

The area played a notable role in world history when the Kienthal Conference was held at Kiental (then known as Kienthal) in 1916.

The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent a Bear Paw issuant from a Mount of 3 Coupeaux Vert.

Reichenbach im Kandertal is first mentioned about 1320 as Richenbach. During the Middle Ages, the village occupied a strategic location on the trade route into the Canton of Valais. Two castles, Mülenen Castle, with the Letzi Mülenen wall, and Aris ob Kien Castle, were built during the Middle Ages to guard the road. A third castle, Faltschen Castle, may also be medieval, but this is not definitively known. The village was part of the Herrschaft of Mülenen. In 1352, Bern acquired the Herrschaft and with it the village.

Originally Reichenbach was part of the parish of Aeschi bei Spiez. During the 15th century the chapel of St. Nicholas was built in the village. The chapel was first mentioned in 1453 and rebuilt in 1484. During the 18th and 19th centuries it was renovated and expanded. After Bern accepted the Protestant Reformation, Reichenbach converted to the new faith in 1529 and created its own parish. A filial church was established in the village of Kiental in 1929, while Wengi and Schwandi are still part of the Frutigen parish.