Bürchen
Origin of the name Bürchen
The name appears as « ze Birke » (1307), « Birkonberg » (1363), « Birchen » (1441) and « Betula » (1755). Its origin is not explained.[1]
Founding of Bürchen
Bürchen lies on a west-facing terrace on the left side of the Rhone valley. Alemanni settled here in the 9th-10th centuries, and clearings over the following centuries formed a core of seven manses, which paid dues to the bishop's vidomne around 1280. The Sion cathedral chapter collected tithes in the central area, around the hamlets of Mauracker, Zenhäusern and Achru, but much of the land belonged to allodial owners. Bürchen came under the vidomnat of Raron and, with Unterbäch, Ausserberg and Raron, formed the large parish of Raron. The economic community had given itself statutes in 1345, then in 1363 and 1513 (« Bauernzunft »). By separating from Raron it became a political municipality.[1]
History of Bürchen
9th-10th centuries. Alemannic settlement.[1]
10th-12th centuries. Clearings that produce a core of seven manses.[1]
11th century. The Sion cathedral chapter holds tithe rights in the central area (Mauracker, Zenhäusern, Achru).[1]
around 1280. The seven manses pay dues to the episcopal vidomne.[1]
1307. Mentioned as « ze Birke ».[1]
1345. First statutes of the community.[1]
1363. New statutes; mentioned as « Birkonberg ».[1]
14th century. The vidomnat of Raron passes from the Raron family to the Chevron family.[1]
1441. Mentioned as « Birchen ».[1]
1513. Statutes known as « Bauernzunft ».[1]
1538. The vidomnat passes to the parish of Raron.
1554. Pope Julius III creates the Unterbäch-Bürchen branch parish.[1]
1755. Mentioned as « Betula ».[1]
1853. Creation of a rectorate.[1]
1879. Bürchen becomes a parish.[1]
1930-1934. Construction of the Visp-Bürchen road, which together with the postbus line opens access to jobs in the valley, notably at Lonza.[1]
1950. The municipality is still purely agricultural, with an economy organised by altitude (farming, livestock and viticulture on the plain).[1]
1960s. Growth of tourism.[1]
1963. Construction of a new church.[1]
1990. Only one person still works full-time in the primary sector.[1]
Population of Bürchen
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1798 | 302 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 332 inhabitants |
| 1900 | 478 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 521 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 672 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 774 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Bürchen
Parish church. New church built in 1963. Bürchen has been a parish since 1879.[1]
Chapels and Stations of the Cross. Chapels and Stations of the Cross from the 17th, 18th and 20th centuries.[1]
Mauracker, Zenhäusern and Achru. Hamlets of the central area, where the Sion cathedral chapter held tithe rights from the 11th century.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bürchen » (Gregor Zenhäusern, trad. Anne Berlincourt, version du 24.01.2005)
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Bürchen » (Gregor Zenhäusern, version du 24.01.2005)
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Bürchen
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