Erlenbach -Stunning Historical Villages of Switzerland

Erlenbach im Simmental is a municipality in the district of Niedersimmental in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.
The blazon of the municipal coat of arms is Argent, a castle embattled gules.
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.
Erlenbach im Simmental has an area of 36.69 km2 (14.17 sq mi).[4] As of 2012, a total of 18.56 km2 (7.17 sq mi) or 50.5% is used for agricultural purposes, while 13.93 km2 (5.38 sq mi) or 37.9% is forested. The rest of the municipality is 1.27 km2 (0.49 sq mi) or 3.5% is settled (buildings or roads), 0.32 km2 (0.12 sq mi) or 0.9% is either rivers or lakes and 2.6 km2 (1.0 sq mi) or 7.1% is unproductive land.In this video we will explore Erlenbach im Simmental, a beautiful farming village, nestled among the delightful Simmental landscape in the foothills of the Alps at the feet of the Stockhorn, from where you can enjoy an impressive view of 200 mountain peaks.
Erlenbach im Simmental is a village of national importance and is listed in the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites (ISOS).
The village features numerous well-preserved historic buildings from various eras, built in the traditional regional style. In addition to Simmental houses, richly decorated with ornate carvings, these also include the Ründihäuser (with arched, connected tympana and elements of typical Bernese farmhouse architecture) built after a village fire in 1765 in the Grossdorf, the historic inns and the mediaeval church with its rectory and the Pfrundscheune (a barn-like church hall).


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