Plaffeien
Origin of the name Plaffeien
The name appears in 1148 as «Planfeiun» and in 1339 as «Blanfeyen». It is said to come from plana fagus, «the plain of beeches», and points to a Romance-speaking settlement. In French the village is called Planfayon.[1]
Founding of Plaffeien
Plaffeien (Planfayon) lies about 12 km south-east of Fribourg, and its territory climbs through the Schwarzseetal to the Schafberg (2'235 m). The Cluniac monastery of Rüeggisberg, founded in 1072, held estates, the right of presentation and high justice here. Before 1319 the Englisberg family held property in Plaffeien and lordship over the valley, which formed a march of its own. Until 1798 the village belonged to the lordship of the same name, which Fribourg ran as a bailiwick outside the Old Territories. Alongside farming, alpine pasture and the timber trade, tourism has become the main source of income. Since 1 January 2017 the municipality has also included Oberschrot and Zumholz.[1][2][3]
History of Plaffeien
1072. Foundation of the monastery of Rüeggisberg, which would hold estates around Plaffeien.[2]
1143. A chapel is mentioned at the Schwarzsee (Black Lake).[1]
1148. Plaffeien already has its church.[1]
1228. The parish of Rechthalten-Plaffeien appears in the records.[1]
1319. Wilhelm of Englisberg declares that his serfs will pay no heavier dues than before. His rights later pass to the lordship of Illens.[2]
1474. The lordship's rights pass to the town of Fribourg.[2]
1486. Fribourg also acquires the rights of Rüeggisberg. Until 1798 a bailiff holds high justice, while an amman and a secretary appointed by the town administer low justice with jurors.[2]
1717. A school is recorded.[1]
18th century. Plaffeien becomes a market place.[1]
1783. The Schwarzsee begins to draw visitors for its sulphur springs.[1]
1798. End of the lordship. The music society, recorded in 1809, is said to have been founded that year.[1]
1833. The political municipality is created, then the second largest in the canton by area.[1]
19th century. Straw plaiting at home spreads, along with a modest production of ceramics. The village is known for its William Tell plays.[1]
1906. On 31 May fire destroys the village in two hours. Thirty-six houses and the church burn, 274 people are left homeless and the archives are lost.[1]
1908. The foundation stone of the new church is laid on 26 April. The first services are held in December 1909, and work continues until 1914 with the installation of the organ.[4]
1972. Inauguration of the Metzler organ, built in 1942 for the church of Hinwil and bought by the parish in 1971.[5]
2014. Plaffeien, Oberschrot, Zumholz, Brünisried and Plasselb prepare a merger. In a consultation on the name, Plaffeien wins over Schwarzsee everywhere except in Plasselb.[8]
2015. On 8 March Plaffeien accepts the five-way merger with 81.23 % yes, but Plasselb and Brünisried reject it.[6]
2015. On 27 September Plaffeien approves a three-way merger with Oberschrot and Zumholz by 635 votes to 64. The Grand Council ratifies it on 16 December.[6][7]
2017. On 1 January the new municipality of Plaffeien unites the three municipalities over 66.29 km².[3][6]
Population of Plaffeien
Sources and references: [1][3][10]
| 1811 | 453 |
| 1850 | 920 |
| 1900 | 1'124 |
| 1950 | 1'449 |
| 1970 | 1'448 |
| 1980 | 1'453 |
| 1990 | 1'698 |
| 2000 | 1'938 |
| 2016 | 1'997 (end of December, before the merger) |
| 2025 | 3'729 (merged municipality) |
Historic sites in Plaffeien
Church of the Nativity of Mary. Neo-Romanesque basilica with three naves, about 50 m long, with a 47 m bell tower, rebuilt after the fire of 1906. A statue of the Virgin and Child on the west front is the only piece kept from the old church. The windows show the twelve apostles, and the 38-stop organ is the largest in the Sense district. The church is a cultural property of national importance.[4][5][9]
Schwarzsee. The Schwarzsee (Black Lake), where a chapel stood as early as 1143, belongs 52 % to Plaffeien, 47 % to Jaun and 1 % to Charmey. Several chapels in the Schwarzseetal are served by the parish.[1][3]
Remains in Plaffeien
Flints of the Geissalp. Mesolithic flints have been found on the Geissalp, at the foot of the Kaiseregg.[1]
Castle of Fura. A castle is said to have stood near the hamlet of Fura. The site has never been studied.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Plaffeien (commune) » (Peter F. Kopp, version du 05.05.2017)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Planfayon (seigneurie) » (Peter F. Kopp, version du 31.07.2009)
- Commune de Plaffeien, « Die frühere Gemeinde Plaffeien »
- Commune de Plaffeien, « Pfarrkirche Plaffeien »
- Parc naturel régional Gantrisch, « KulturOrte im Naturpark Gantrisch : Pfarrkirche Plaffeien »
- Conseil d'État du canton de Fribourg, message 2015-DIAF-98 accompagnant le projet de loi relatif à la fusion des communes d'Oberschrot, de Plaffeien et de Zumholz (10.11.2015)
- Grand Conseil du canton de Fribourg, affaire 2015-DIAF-98, « Zusammenschluss der Gemeinden Oberschrot, Plaffeien und Zumholz » (Parlinfo)
- SRF News, « Fusion im Sensebezirk: Die Gemeinde heisst dann wohl Plaffeien » (28.09.2014)
- Office fédéral de la protection de la population, « Révision Inventaire PBC 2021 : liste cantonale, canton de FR » (état au 1.1.2026)
- Service de la statistique du canton de Fribourg (SStat), « Population des communes, de 1900 à 2025 » (T01-02-03), population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Plaffeien
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