History of the villages of the former La Neuveville district (Bern)
The 10 documented localities of the former La Neuveville district, in the canton of Bern. Each page covers the origin of the name, the main stages of its history and its remains, with sources.
Towns and villages 8
Chavannes (BE)
Joined to Ligerz on the shore of Lake Biel, the winegrowing hamlet of Chavannes keeps the Fornel, a house built in 1555 for the Gléresse family and now the Wine Museum.
BE · TownDiesse
Chief place of the Montagne de Diesse until 1798, Diesse keeps the church of Saint-Michel, mentioned in 1185, mother church of the plateau's parish. The «rollet de franchises» of 1352 set out the rights of the mountain.
BE · TownLa Neuveville
Founded around 1310 by the bishop of Basel on the shore of Lake Biel, La Neuveville received its charter of liberties in 1318 and drove off a siege by Bernese troops in 1367.
BELamboing
From 1423 to 1509 the lords of Vaumarcus held the fief of Lamboing and built nine mills there. Their arms still appear in those of the village.
BELes Combes (Nods)
A hamlet of Nods at the foot of the Chasseral, Les Combes has had its own school since 1896. Near La Praye, the other hamlet of the municipality, the pond has been protected since 1976.
BE · TownNods
A village of the Plateau de Diesse at the foot of the Chasseral, Nods received liberties in 1352 and 1453, resisted the Reformation and only left the parish of Diesse in 1708.
BE · Merger 2014Plateau de Diesse
After Nods said no in 2012, Diesse, Lamboing and Prêles took up the plan as a trio and formed the municipality of Plateau de Diesse on 1 January 2014.
BEPrêles
From 1920 to 2016 Prêles housed the Bernese cantonal institution for young men, the former reformatory moved from Trachselwald. The funicular of 1912 links the village to Lake Biel.
Sites 2
Blanche Église
Mentioned in 866 as the chapel of Saint-Ursanne, the Blanche Église of La Neuveville was consecrated in 1345. Its frescoes of the 14th and 15th centuries, hidden under whitewash, came to light again in 1912.
BE · SiteChâteau du Schlossberg
Built from 1283 to 1288 by the prince-bishops of Basel facing the county of Neuchâtel, the Schlossberg held out against the Bernese in 1367. Sold as national property in 1800, it was bequeathed in 1933 to La Neuveville and the canton.