Aarberg

Aarberg is a municipality in the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

Aarberg lies 20 kilometers from Bern above the Aare River. With an area of 7.93 km² (3.06 sq mi), Aarberg borders Bargen, Kappelen, Lyss, Radelfingen and Seedorf.

Aarberg is not to be confused with Aarburg in Aargau or with Aarbergen in Germany.

The city was once located on an island with the Aare River and Little Aare River (Kleine Aare) flowing around it. The old city grew up around the edge of the island with a large open plaza in the middle. In addition to the old city, Aarberg also includes the new outer quarter, and the villages of Spins, Mühletal and Grafenmoos.

History

Where Aarberg now stands was once an island surrounded by the Aar River and the Little Aar River. By 1138 there was a small pilgrim home and hospital with a bridge, the Bargenbrügg, over the Aare river. This bridge was a key river crossing from Bern to Büren an der Aare.

The city itself was founded between 1220 and 1225 by count Ulrich III of Neuchâtel. The count had recently acquired the rulership over this region and needed a central location from which to rule. The island and the key bridge was a natural location for a town. Aarberg is first mentioned in 1236 as Arberc. In 1267 it was mentioned as opidum de Arberch. By the 14th century, Aarberg lay along the most important of the three trade roads in the region. The old Roman roads that connected Solothurn, Aarberg and Murten as well as southern Germany with Lyon and Rome all passed near Aarberg.

Aarberg District

The Aarberg District was an administrative district of the canton of Bern, Switzerland. Its capital was the town of Aarberg. The district contained 12 municipalities covering an area of 153 km² (59 sq mi):

Coordinates: 47°02′00″N 7°16′00″E / 47.0333°N 7.26667°E / 47.0333; 7.26667