Ernen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ernen
Coat of arms
Ernen Location in Switzerland Show map of Switzerland Ernen Location in Canton of Valais Show map of Canton of Valais
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Valais
District	Goms
Area
• Total	35.37 km2 (13.66 sq mi)
Elevation	1,196 m (3,924 ft)
Population  (Dec 2020 )
• Total	518
• Density	14.645/km2 (37.93/sq mi)
Postal code	3995
Surrounded by	Bellwald, Binn, Blitzingen, Fiesch, Grafschaft, Grengiols, Lax, Niederwald, Reckingen-Gluringen

Ernen is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Goms district in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. In 2005, Ernen grew bigger by joining with three other nearby towns: Ausserbinn, Mühlebach, and Steinhaus.

Ernen is special because it won the Wakker Prize in 1979. This award is given to places that do a great job of keeping their old buildings and history safe.

What is the History of Ernen?

Ernen was first mentioned in old writings way back in 1214. Back then, it was called Aragnon. A few years later, in 1220, people called it Arengnon. By 1510, its name had changed to Aernen, which is very close to its name today.

An old photo of Ernen from above, taken in 1955.

Where is Ernen Located?

Ernen and Fiesch seen from Fiescheralp, a mountain area.

Ernen covers an area of about 35.4 square kilometers (about 13.7 square miles). A big part of this land, about 36%, is used for farming. Another large part, about 35%, is covered by forests. Only a small bit, about 1.5%, has buildings or roads. The rest of the land is not used for farming or building.

The town sits on a raised area of land called a moraine terrace. This terrace is above the left side of the Rhone River. Ernen includes the main village and a smaller area called Niederernen.

As mentioned, on October 1, 2004, the towns of Steinhaus, Ausserbinn, and Mühlebach officially became part of Ernen.

What Does Ernen's Coat of Arms Look Like?

The blazon (official description) of Ernen's coat of arms is quite simple. It shows a shield split down the middle. One side is red, and the other side is silver (or white). On each side, there is a Greek Cross (a cross with four equal arms). The colors of the crosses are opposite to the background. So, on the red side, the cross is silver, and on the silver side, the cross is red.

Who Lives in Ernen?

The historic Capuchin house in Ernen.

The village of Steinhaus, which is now part of Ernen.

Ernen has a population of about 557 people (as of August 2005). In 2008, a small part of the population, about 5.2%, were people from other countries.

Most people in Ernen speak German. In 2000, about 95% of the people spoke German as their main language. A small number of people also spoke Serbo-Croatian or Dutch. Very few people spoke French or Italian.

In 2008, the population was almost evenly split between men and women. About 50.1% were men and 49.9% were women. Most people living in Ernen were born either in Ernen itself or somewhere else in the same canton (Valais).

In 2000, about 25.6% of the people living in Ernen were children and teenagers (under 20 years old). Adults (20-64 years old) made up about 56.8% of the population. Older adults (over 64 years old) made up about 17.6%.

Most households in Ernen had about 2.3 people on average. Many households were made up of just one person.

The number of people living in Ernen has changed over time. For example, in 1850, there were 414 people. By 1900, it had gone down to 355. In 2000, there were 385 people, and by 2018, the population had grown to 492.

What are Ernen's Special Buildings?

The Tellen House, a famous building in Ernen.

Ernen has some very important historical buildings. The Erner Galgen, the Jost-Sigristen House, and the Tellen House are all listed as heritage sites of national significance in Switzerland. This means they are very important for the country's history and culture. The entire village of Ernen is also considered a Swiss Heritage Site.

A beautiful old painting (fresco) on the Tellen House from 1578.

How Do People Make a Living in Ernen?

In 2010, Ernen had a very low unemployment rate, meaning almost everyone who wanted a job had one.

Many people in Ernen work in different types of jobs:

• Primary sector: This includes jobs like farming and forestry (working with trees). In 2008, about 30 people worked in this area.
• Secondary sector: These jobs involve making things, like in factories or construction. About 35 people worked in this sector.
• Tertiary sector: This is the largest group of jobs and includes services. For example, many people work in shops, restaurants, hotels, or as teachers and healthcare workers. About 108 people worked in this sector.

In 2000, some people who lived in Ernen traveled to other towns for work. Also, some people from other towns came to Ernen to work. Most people used their own cars to get to work, while a smaller number used public transportation.

What are the Religions in Ernen?

The Parish Church of St. Georg in Ernen.

Based on information from 2000, most people in Ernen, about 87.5%, are Roman Catholic. A smaller group, about 6.5%, belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A few people belong to other Christian churches or do not follow any religion.

What About Education in Ernen?

In Ernen, many people have completed their high school education. Some have also gone on to get higher education from a university or a special college called a Fachhochschule.

During the 2010-2011 school year, there were 19 students in Ernen's schools. In the Canton of Valais, young children can go to kindergarten, but Ernen did not have kindergarten classes at that time. Students in Ernen attend six years of primary school in their town. After primary school, students go to secondary school in a nearby town.

What Cultural Events Happen in Ernen?

Ernen is known for its music! In 2016, the town hosted its 43rd music festival. This festival lasts for most of July and August and features many different kinds of music.

Images for kids

• 

  A view of Ernen.

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  The coat of arms of Ernen.

• 

  The flag of Ernen.

See also

In Spanish: Ernen para niños