Eggerberg
Origin of the name Eggerberg
The oldest known form is « Eccun », attested in 1307. No explanation has yet been found for this name.[1]
Founding of Eggerberg
Eggerberg is a scattered settlement on the right side of the Rhone valley near Visp. The municipality consists of the hamlets of Mühlackern, Wirmschland, Berg and Eggen, as well as Finnen, which joined Eggerberg in 1854. In the late Middle Ages jurisdiction belonged at times to the Ornavasso and Raron families. In 1312 Eggerberg appears as a « communitas » and belonged to the « Gumper » of Rischinen, in the dizain of Brig. Ecclesiastically the village belonged to the parish of Naters from 1221 at the latest, then to that of Glis from 1642, before becoming a rectorate in 1789 and an independent parish in 1902. In 2000 three quarters of the working population were commuters, among them many worker-farmers employed at Lonza in Visp who also kept sheep. Under the law passed by the Grand Council on 13 February 2025, Eggerberg is to merge with Baltschieder and Visp into the municipality of Visp on 1 January 2027.[1]
History of Eggerberg
1221. Eggerberg belongs to the parish of Naters from this date at the latest.[1]
1307. First mention as « Eccun ».[1]
1312. Eggerberg appears as a « communitas » and belongs to the « Gumper » of Rischinen, in the dizain of Brig.[1]
1329. The hamlets below the Laldneri irrigation channel are assigned to the parish of Visp.[1]
1642. Eggerberg passes to the parish of Glis.[1]
1658. Construction of the communal house in Berg.[1]
1789. The municipality becomes a rectorate.[1]
1854. Finnen joins Eggerberg.[1]
1863. Construction of the St. Joseph church.[1]
1902. Creation of an independent parish.[1]
1910. The construction of the Lötschberg line raises the population to 622 inhabitants.[1]
1926. Opening of a BLS station.[1]
1957. Start of land consolidation.[1]
1961-1976. Construction of the access road.[1]
2000. 75 % of the working population are commuters working outside the municipality.[1]
2025. On 13 February the Grand Council adopts the law on the merger of Baltschieder, Eggerberg and Visp, effective 1 January 2027.
Population of Eggerberg
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1802 | 153 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 217 inhabitants |
| 1900 | 224 inhabitants |
| 1910 | 622 inhabitants (Lötschberg construction) |
| 1920 | 262 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 344 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 382 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 344 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Eggerberg
St. Joseph church. Built in 1863; Eggerberg becomes an independent parish in 1902.[1]
Communal house of Berg. Built in 1658.[1]
Finnen. Hamlet that joined Eggerberg in 1854.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Eggerberg » (Philipp Kalbermatter, version de 2000)
- Grand Conseil du Valais, « Gesetz über die Fusion der Einwohnergemeinden Baltschieder, Eggerberg und Visp » (13.02.2025)
- 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 Eggerberg
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