Meisterschwanden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Meisterschwanden
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 Meisterschwanden
Location in Switzerland
Meisterschwanden
Location in Canton of Aargau
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| Country | Switzerland | |
| Canton | Aargau | |
| District | Lenzburg | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 4.25 km2 (1.64 sq mi) | |
| Elevation | 505 m (1,657 ft) | |
| Population
(Dec 2020 )
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| • Total | 3,032 | |
| • Density | 713.4/km2 (1,847.7/sq mi) | |
| Postal code |
5616
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| Surrounded by | Beinwil am See, Birrwil, Fahrwangen, Sarmenstorf, Seengen | |
| Twin towns | Saint-Claude-de-Diray (France) | |
Meisterschwanden is a small town, also called a municipality, located in the Lenzburg district. It's part of the canton of Aargau in Switzerland.
Contents
A Look at Meisterschwanden's Past
Long, long ago, around 3,600 BC, people lived near Meisterschwanden. Archaeologists found two ancient lakeside settlements. These sites, called Seerose and Erlenhölzli, show that people lived here during the neolithic (New Stone Age) period. At Erlenhölzli, divers even found old pottery, stone tools, and parts of a wooden bow and arrow!
Meisterschwanden was first mentioned in old writings in 1173. Back then, it was called Meistersvanc. Later, in 1363, the local lords of Meisterschwanden passed their power to the Lords of Hallwyl.
The Story of Meitlisunntig
An interesting tradition in Meisterschwanden is Meitlisunntig, or Girls' Sunday. This special day started after a war in 1712. Legend says that during a battle, the women of Meisterschwanden and a nearby village, Fahrwangen, bravely joined their soldiers. The soldiers were so impressed by their courage that they gave the women a day where they could be in charge!
Since then, on the second Sunday in January, the women celebrate. They run through the streets with nets. If they catch a man in their net, he has to pay a "ransom" to be set free. This ransom is often a drink!
Churches and Economy Over Time
Meisterschwanden had a small chapel before 1300. It became its own church parish in 1817. The main church for Protestants was built in 1820-22. A Catholic church was built much later, in 1977.
For a long time, people in Meisterschwanden mostly worked in farming. They also fished and grew grapes for wine. In the 1700s, some small businesses started processing cotton. Later, around 1850, making things from straw became popular. Today, Meisterschwanden has many small and medium-sized businesses. It's also a place where people visit for day trips, with two hotels by the lake.
Travel to Meisterschwanden also changed over time. Steamboats started sailing on Lake Hallwyl in 1888. In 1916, the town got a train connection. Since 1997, a bus line has served the village.
Meisterschwanden's Location and Landscape
Meisterschwanden is in the Lenzburg district, located in the beautiful Seetal valley. It sits on a high area above the western side of Hallwilersee (Lake Hallwyl). The town first grew along a small stream. Now, it has spread out more.
The municipality includes the main village of Meisterschwanden. It also includes the small village, or hamlet, of Tennwil, which joined Meisterschwanden around 1900. The total area of Meisterschwanden is about 4.27 square kilometers (1.65 sq mi).
Most of the land is used for farming (57.6%). About 18.7% is covered by forests. Buildings and roads make up 23.9% of the area. A very small part (0.2%) is rivers or lakes.
Meisterschwanden's Coat of Arms
The blazon (description) of Meisterschwanden's coat of arms is simple: it's divided into two parts by a wavy line. The top part is blue, and the bottom part is silver (or white).
Who Lives in Meisterschwanden?
Meisterschwanden has a population of about 2,364 people (as of December 2006). Around 14.6% of the people living here are from other countries. Most people (90.9%) speak German. Italian is the second most common language (3.8%), followed by Serbo-Croatian (1.6%).
Age Groups in the Community
In Meisterschwanden, the population is made up of different age groups:
- Children (0-9 years old): 10.2%
- Teenagers (10-19 years old): 11.2%
- Young adults (20-29 years old): 9.5%
- Adults (30-59 years old): 48.3%
- Seniors (60 years and older): 20.8%
Most homes in Meisterschwanden (about 60.7%) are owned by the people who live in them. In 2000, there were 807 homes in the municipality, with an average of 2.5 people living in each home.
Historical Population Growth
The number of people living in Meisterschwanden has changed over time:
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 1764 | 308 | — |
| 1850 | 1,020 | +231.2% |
| 1900 | 1,113 | +9.1% |
| 1950 | 1,089 | −2.2% |
| 2000 | 2,055 | +88.7% |
Important Buildings and Sites
The Villa Fischer at Kirchrain 11 is a very important building in Switzerland. It's listed as a heritage site of national significance. The entire village of Meisterschwanden is also recognized as an important heritage site.
How People Work in Meisterschwanden
In 2007, the unemployment rate in Meisterschwanden was low, at 1.87%. This means most people who wanted to work had a job.
People in Meisterschwanden work in different types of jobs:
- Primary sector: These are jobs like farming, fishing, and forestry. About 47 people work in this area.
- Secondary sector: These jobs involve making things, like in factories or construction. About 250 people work here.
- Tertiary sector: These jobs are about providing services, like in shops, hotels, or offices. About 424 people work in this sector.
Many people who live in Meisterschwanden travel to other towns for work. About 76.2% of workers commute outside the municipality. On the other hand, 306 people travel into Meisterschwanden for their jobs. Most people (60.9%) use a private car to get to work, while 6.9% use public transportation.
Religious Groups in Meisterschwanden
According to a 2000 survey:
- About 30.8% of the people were Roman Catholic.
- About 48.2% belonged to the Swiss Reformed Church (Protestant).
Learning and Education
Many adults in Meisterschwanden (about 76.9%) have completed higher education, like university or a specialized college.
In the 2008/2009 school year, there were 164 students in primary school and 118 students in secondary school in Meisterschwanden.
The town also has its own library, the Gemeindebibliothek Meisterschwanden. In 2008, it had 4,840 books and other media. People borrowed over 11,000 items that year!
Culture and Arts
Meisterschwanden hosts a special art show and competition called the SEETAL invitational art show. It happens every two years and brings together artists and art lovers.
See also
In Spanish: Meisterschwanden para niños
