Emmental
For the cheese made in the region, see Emmental (cheese).
The Emmental is the valley of the Emme river in west central Switzerland in the canton of Bern, a region mostly devoted to farming, particularly dairy farming. Its notable cities are Burgdorf and Langnau.
Geography
The region is a hilly section of the Bernese Mittelland between the valley of the Aare River and the Bernese Alps. It includes the watersheds of the Emme and the Ilfis between Burgdorf and the boundary with the canton of Solothurn.
The landscape is dominated by meadows and pastureland, with forest interspersed.
Economy
The original Emmental cheese is produced there, and the dairy industry is still the predominate economy factor. Pottery from the region is also prized, and the ceramics of the region have endured since the 17th century practically unchanged.
Tourism has had less impact on the region than on other parts of Switzerland.
Culture
The novelist Jeremias Gotthelf (1797-1854) was a pastor in the Emmental and wrote about the region.
The Emmental also played a dominant role in the history of the Mennonites.
Architecture
The typical Emmental farmhouse has a steep roof with a large overhang that almost reaches the ground.
See also
- Napfgebiet
References
This article is based on a translation of an article from the German Wikipedia.
External links
- Article on Emmental in the Historical Lexikon of Switzerland (in German)
- Pro Emmental tourism site (in German)
Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Emmental". Image Credit.
