Iseltwald facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Iseltwald
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 Iseltwald
Location in Switzerland
Iseltwald
Location in Canton of Bern
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Bern | |
| District | Interlaken-Oberhasli | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 21.91 km2 (8.46 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 566 m (1,857 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 415 | |
| • Density | 18.941/km2 (49.06/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
3807
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| Surrounded by | Bönigen, Brienz, Grindelwald, Gündlischwand, Lütschental, Lake Thun | |
Iseltwald is a charming village and municipality located on the southern shore of Lake Brienz in the beautiful Bernese Oberland region of Switzerland. It's part of the Interlaken-Oberhasli administrative district within the canton of Bern.
Contents
A Glimpse into Iseltwald's Past
Iseltwald was first mentioned way back in 1146. It was called Iseltwalt then.
During the Middle Ages, a castle stood on the peninsula near the village. It belonged to the Lords of Matten. In 1146, King Conrad III gave part of the village to Interlaken Monastery. The monastery tried to gain more control over the village.
The monastery supported the Habsburg family, who were powerful rulers. In 1342, soldiers from Unterwalden attacked and burned Iseltwald. This was because the monastery had raided their area. A few years later, the village rebelled against the monastery but didn't succeed.
In 1528, the city of Bern adopted a new religion called the Protestant Reformation. They wanted everyone in the Bernese Oberland to follow it. Iseltwald, along with other villages and the monastery, rebelled against this change. However, their rebellion failed. Bern then took over the monastery's lands.
Since 1948, Iseltwald has been part of the larger parish of Gsteig bei Interlaken. This parish is located in Gsteigwiler.
The people of Iseltwald traditionally made a living from fishing in Lake Brienz. They also farmed in the valleys and raised animals in the alpine meadows. A glass-blowing factory operated here from 1680 to 1715.
Tourism began in 1871 when steamships brought visitors across the lake. For a long time, there was only one main road to the village. A new motorway opened in 1988, making it easier to reach. Today, tourism is very important. People also work in farming, fishing, and timber harvesting.
Where is Iseltwald?
The village of Iseltwald sits on a flat area of land (a delta) on the south bank of Lake Brienz. It is about 14 kilometers (9 miles) from Interlaken. The road to Interlaken mostly runs along the lake.
Besides the main village, Iseltwald also includes smaller communities called hamlets. These are Furen, Sengg, and Isch. There are also many scattered farmhouses.
The municipality's land also covers a large area of mountainside along the lake's south shore. The lower parts of these slopes are covered in thick forests. These mountains go all the way up to the top of the Faulhorn mountain. This peak is very high, at 2,680 meters (8,790 feet) above sea level.
Iseltwald covers an area of 21.9 square kilometers (8.5 square miles). About 31.4% of this land is used for farming. Forests cover a large part, about 47.8% of the area. Only a small part, 2.3%, has buildings or roads. Rivers and lakes make up 0.4%, and 18.2% is unproductive land like rocky areas.
Iseltwald's Coat of Arms
The blazon of Iseltwald's municipal coat of arms shows a special design. It features an Ibex (a type of wild goat) walking. The ibex is colored half black and half white on a gold background.
Who Lives in Iseltwald?
Iseltwald has a population of about 435 people (as of December 2010). About 10% of the people living here are from other countries.
Most people in Iseltwald speak German as their main language. A small number of people also speak French or Italian.
In 2008, the population was almost evenly split between males and females. About 42% of the people living in Iseltwald in 2000 were born there. Many others were born in the same canton or elsewhere in Switzerland.
Children and teenagers (up to 19 years old) make up about 19% of the population. Adults (20–64 years old) are about 58.6%, and seniors (over 64 years old) are about 22.5%.
Things to See in Iseltwald
The entire village of Iseltwald is recognized as an important Swiss Heritage Site. This means it has special historical and cultural value.
How People Make a Living in Iseltwald
In 2011, Iseltwald had a low unemployment rate of 1.49%. This means most people who wanted to work had jobs.
Many people work in the service industry, especially in hotels and restaurants. This makes sense because tourism is a big part of the local economy. Some people also work in agriculture (farming) and construction.
Many residents of Iseltwald travel to other places for work. About 7% use public transportation, and 44% use a private car to get to their jobs.
Religion in Iseltwald
According to the 2000 census, most people in Iseltwald belong to the Swiss Reformed Church. A smaller number are Roman Catholic. Some people belong to other Christian churches. There are also people who do not belong to any church.
Learning and Education
In Iseltwald, many people have completed their high school education. Some have also gone on to higher education at a university or a specialized college.
The school system in the Canton of Bern starts with one year of non-mandatory Kindergarten. After that, students attend six years of Primary school. Then, they go to three years of lower Secondary school. Here, students are grouped based on their abilities. After lower Secondary, students can continue their education or start an apprenticeship (on-the-job training).
During the 2010-2011 school year, 36 students attended classes in Iseltwald. There was one kindergarten class and one primary class. There was also one lower secondary class.
Getting Around Iseltwald
For a long time, the only ways to reach Iseltwald were by a small local road or by ferry across the lake. In 1988, the A8 motorway was built, giving the village its own exit. This made travel much easier.
You can also get to Iseltwald by bus. The PostBus Switzerland bus service 103 runs hourly, connecting Iseltwald to Interlaken. It stops at both Interlaken West and Interlaken Ost train stations. In summer, you can also take a boat! BLS AG shipping services operate on Lake Brienz, stopping at various points between Interlaken Ost and Brienz.
Tourism in Iseltwald
Iseltwald is a very popular place for tourists, especially backpackers and skiers. It's close to the famous Jungfraujoch region. The village has many backpacker hostels and Bed and Breakfasts where visitors can stay.
Iseltwald in the Media
Iseltwald became famous in the South Korean drama "Crash Landing on You". The village was used as a filming location for scenes where the main character, Ri Jeong Hyeok, attended music school in Switzerland.
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See also
In Spanish: Iseltwald para niños
