Entlebuch District facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Entlebuch District Wahlkreis Entlebuch
District
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Luzern
Capital	Schüpfheim
Area
• Total	424.43 km2 (163.87 sq mi)
Population  (2020)
• Total	23,303
• Density	54.9042/km2 (142.201/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+1 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+2 (CEST)
Municipalities	9

The Entlebuch District is one of six special areas called Wahlkreise (districts) in the canton of Lucerne, Switzerland. Think of it like a county or a region within a larger state. The main town and administrative center of Entlebuch is Schüpfheim.

This district is mostly the area around the Kleine Emme river. The name "Entlebuch" comes from a village with the same name. That village got its name from two smaller rivers, the Grosse Entle and Kleine Entle, which flow into the Kleine Emme river.

Before 2013, this area was known as Amt Entlebuch. It has been part of the canton of Lucerne for a very long time, officially since 1405.

History of Entlebuch

The Entlebuch area has a long and interesting history. Its size today is very similar to a historical region first mentioned way back in the 1100s.

Early Ownership and Conflicts

In the 1200s, the area was owned by the lords of Wolhusen. Then, just before 1300, it became part of the lands controlled by the House of Habsburg, a powerful European family.

In the 1370s, people in Entlebuch had disagreements with people from Obwalden about who could use the alpine pastures (mountain grasslands for animals). This led to a fight called the Battle of Sörenberg in 1380.

Joining Lucerne

Because of these conflicts, Entlebuch decided to team up with the city of Lucerne. In 1385, Entlebuch became a territory controlled by Lucerne. This agreement was made official in 1405, after the Battle of Sempach. In this battle, a group of central Swiss areas fought against the Habsburg army.

Later, in 1470, Entlebuch and Berne (another Swiss city) settled their disagreements over land with a special agreement.

Life in Entlebuch and Rebellions

For a long time, people in Entlebuch lived in spread-out homes. But starting in the 1500s, villages began to grow around churches.

The local people often rebelled against Lucerne's rule between the 1400s and 1600s. Some famous uprisings include the Amstaldenhandel (1478) and the Zwiebelnkrieg (1513). The biggest one was the Swiss Peasant War in 1653, where farmers fought for more fairness and rights.

Modern District and Population Growth

The modern Entlebuch district was created in 1803. This happened after Switzerland was reorganized following a period called the Helvetic Republic. The town of Werthenstein joined the district later, in 1889.

The population of Entlebuch has changed a lot over time:

• In 1453, there were 2,260 people.
• By 1715, it grew to 5,377 people.
• In the late 1700s, the population grew quickly because of new industries, reaching 12,182 by 1795.
• At its peak during industrialization, around 1850, there were almost 17,000 people.

Challenges and Recognition

For a long time, the Entlebuch region was known as the "poorhouse of Switzerland." It was also sometimes called the "Wild West of Lucerne" because it struggled economically. Even today, the region works hard to be economically strong.

In 2001, something special happened: UNESCO recognized the Entlebuch region as part of its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This means the area is important for protecting its natural beauty and culture, while also helping the local economy grow.

Towns and Villages (Municipalities)

The Entlebuch District is made up of several towns and villages, which are called municipalities. Here they are:

View from the Mittlist Gfäll Alp, showing the beautiful Schrattenflue and Chemmeribodenflue mountains in the Entlebuch region.

Changes to Municipalities

Over time, some municipalities in the Entlebuch District have changed or joined together.

• On January 1, 2013, the towns of Escholzmatt and Marbach combined to form a new municipality called Escholzmatt-Marbach.
• Also in 2013, the municipality of Wolhusen moved from the Sursee District to the Entlebuch District.

See also

• Entlebuch Biosphere