Embrach

Embrach
Municipality
Coat of arms
Location of Embrach
Country	Switzerland
Canton	Zurich
District	Bülach
Government
• Mayor	Albert Berbier SVP/UDC
Area
• Total	12.72 km2 (4.91 sq mi)
Elevation	428 m (1,404 ft)
Highest elevation (Tisch on top of Blauen)	609 m (1,998 ft)
Lowest elevation (Töss)	360 m (1,180 ft)
Population  (31 December 2018)
• Total	9,436
• Density	740/km2 (1,900/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (Central European Time)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (Central European Summer Time)
Postal code(s)	8424
SFOS number	0056
ISO 3166 code	CH-ZH
Surrounded by	Bülach, Dättlikon, Freienstein-Teufen, Lufingen, Oberembrach, Pfungen, Rorbas, Winkel
Website	www.embrach.ch SFSO statistics

Embrach is a municipality in the district of Bülach in the canton of Zürich in Switzerland.

Coat of arms

Blazon

Two crossed silver St.Peter's keys in red. Until the middle of the 16th century seals with the image of St. Peter are used. Today's St. Peter's keys are a reference to this tradition. The change was made to the secular symbol took place owing to the Reformation (iconoclasm).

Geography

Residential area "Im Grund" in summertime

Embrach is situated in the "Embrachertal", 6 kilometers northeast of the international airport of Zurich, in a wide U-shaped side valley of the river Töss. A plain of 500 ha size, 5 km length and up to 1.5 km width forms the ground of the valley. The plane is bounded by the slopes of the hill Blauen to the east, by the hill Dättenberg to the west, by the Ghei and the Egg to the south, and by the Tössschlucht (canyon of river Töss) to the north. The stream Wildbach drains the "Embrachertal" northwards into the river Töss at Rorbas. The landscape was formed by the Linth glacier during ice-age.

Out of the total 12.72 square kilometers of Embrach 45% account for forests, 35% for arable land and 18% for settlement area plus roads. The share of the settlement area is steadily increasing at the expense of the cultivated area by more than 30 ha per year [3].

The village stretches mainly along the main street from the "Hinterdorf" in the south to the Psychiatric Center Hard in the north. Embrach is a 3 km long a so-called "Street Village" (Strassendorf in German). The best living areas are the slopes of Sonnenberg and Guldenberg in the east of the village. Since the Middle Ages wine had been grown on these slopes.

The highest point is the "Tisch" on top of the hill "Blauen" at 609 meters above sea level. 688897 / 263243. The deepest point is in the river "Töss" in west of the "Kleinwasserkraftwerks Freienstein" at 360 meters above sea level. 686459 / 264803. The village center with the Reformated Church is located at 428 meters above sea level approximately 6 km northeast of the international airport Zurich. The geographical center we find "Im Grund" southwest of "Badi Talegg" (municipal swimming pool). 687307 / 262610. The northernmost point is the river "Töss" north of the farm "Neumoos" 686703 / 264944. The easternmost point is situated on the road Oberembrach - Pfungen at the junction to the farm Freienhof. 689816 / 261984. The southernmost point, we find on the northwest edge of the "Multikomponentendeponie Zürcher Unterland (DEZU)" - a landfill site for construction waste. 686071 / 260639. The westernmost point is at the forest edge in the "Plattenwiese" close to the road Embrach - Winkel. 685077 / 261482.

Population

Year	1850	1900	1920	1940	1960	1980	1990	2000	2007
Population	1429	1581	1647	1825	2201	5766	6851	7380	8577

Foreigners 2007: 21%
Confessions 2000: Protestant 43%, Catholic 31%, Without a Religion 14 %, Other 9%

Economy

Winery on "Guldenberg"

Is Embrach a large village or a small town in the countryside? Hard to say.

There are 3044 households in Embrach. The population density is 675 people per one square kilometer. More then very second inhabitant (56%) of Embrach owns a car. Embrach provides 3,500 jobs, of which 30% are part-time jobs. The service sector has a share of just 75%, the manufacturing sector and the industry nearly 25% and the remainder is distributed to 24 farms. Trade and maintenance hold more than 25%, transport 20% (mainly companies in Embraport), the health and social services 18% (Psychiatrie-Zentrum Hard, nursing home, medical), manufacturing 17%, real estate, computer science, management, education 11%, construction 7%. A total of 4,500 Embrach citizens are employed. In the best location a family home cost 1 million CHF. With land prices up to 600 CHF per square meter. Rents for a 4 Room apartment are 1,400 - 2,100 CHF. per month.
In Embrach 58 hotel beds are available. Anyone who does not eat at home, you can relax in one of the 12 Restaurant in town.

Education

Primary school Embrach Dorf

The powerful Schulpflege (school board) bears as the authority responsible for the proper fulfilments of all tasks primary school education. It is primarily at the strategic level. For the operational tasks works a school board. The board provides educational, personnel and administrative management within the framework of their delegated powers. It supports and advises the Schulpflege in all aspects of the school. The school has a kindergarten, primary and secondary school structure. Embrach 1,600 students are taught at different Locations. Three main locations are in the Schoolhouse Dorf, Hungerbühl and Ebnet. In addition to several grass pitches are gyms available. Gymnasium providing secondary education are in Bülach, Winterthur and Zurich. Near by higher education can be found at Universitys in Winterthur and Zurich.

Industrial History

Waterfall, near Haumühle

Textile Industry Opening of the silk factory Seidenzwirnerei Zinggeler in 1871, it is regarded as the first industrial enterprises of Embrach. In 1988 the building is demolished and converted to a parking lot for the church. What remains is the "Chlostergumpen" (a nature reserve with local significance), the water reservoir of the former silk factory. In the valley created countless spinners and weavers. The last heir of this traditional factorys can be regarded to Spirella Company. It produces up to now in Embrach. Shower curtains for the world. All other companies are gone since 1987.

Pottery Industry Pioneer in the field of pottery is the brick faktory "Ziegelhütte", west of the "Hard" forest on the road to "Pfungen", whose history goes back to the Middle Ages. Ofenganz, Klinker Ganz, Steinzeuffabrik, Töferei Zangger Neri, led this tradition continued until 1980. Today, they are to trade only with pottery goods or has been dissolved. Only the pottery Landert produced still in Embrach.

Machine Industry Since the Middle Ages there were blacksmiths in town, they provide the farmers with tools, and later with machines for crops. Over time, other companies established. Like; Meili weapons, until 1914; Bölsterli Setma Electric Motors; Zwinggi, washing machines, hydro plants, milling machinery; Karl Keller, Precision Engineering; Krebser Kehrli, medical instrument; Oskar Diener medical instrument and precision mechanics. See also: Abraham Ganz

Communications Telecommunications holds in the form of the telegraph into Embrach in 1872, 23 years later, there is the first telephone installation and since 1992, three mobile phone networks provid services to the inhabitant of the vally. For the broadband Internet and digital television, there are several providers. One problem is the analog radio receiver, various attempts, the reception from the Zurich area have failed to improve, also the last project on the Sonnenberg.

Resources

Silica sand for glass in Bülach has long been promoted in Embrach, there was even a mine on the hillside to the east of the Village. The underground of Embrach is rich on gravel, a big part of it is already degraded. Hydropower was used from Illinger mill and many other industry from the mid 19th century there are a large number of old water reservoirs in the valley. Today the Haumühle turns (again) a waterwheel. And since 2004, produces a small power plant at the Töss River power for up to 1000 people.

Traffic and Transport

Medieval trade

The route Kloten - Embrach - Andelfingen was part of a medieval trade route from southern Germany. The route went from Stein am Rhein on Stammheim, Andelfingen, Pfungen, Embrach after Kloten, thence to Baden, then to Geneva and Lyon to the fairs. Mainly transported were wine, iron, salt, linen, fruits and spices, such as records of duty in Kloten show. The path is in the early maps as a road without fixing, dirt, isolated even as the Saumpfad horse track described.

Modern Road Construction

The bridge over the Töss 1838 in Bruni, now Tössallmend Neftenbach, makes this river transitional weather independent. This clears the way for the road Pfungen - Embrach - Rorbas. A stone bridge over the river was built in 1840 at Rorbas. The "Kohlenschwärze" (the slippery moist forest on the northern slope of the Blauen over the Töss River) is a geological, hydrological problem area since the Middle Ages, always leads to file entries, the road there can only be completed by 1850. Towards the south, the route Embrach - Lufingen - Kloten was built 1841 to 1850. In the north from 1842 to 1843, the road piece Rorbas - Wagenbrechi - Chrützstrass - Glattfelden was accomplished. From 1858, the route Embrach Dreispitz - Eschenberg - Bülach with gentle climbs passable throughout the year was finished. Earlier connections to Bülach were steep, unpaved mule track in wretched condition. The road Embrach - Nürensdorf was completed 1864. These new roads and bridges were built on a French model with solid groundwork over 5 meters in width. The surface consists of gravel, some asphalt. These roads and bridges keep the pressures and the volume of modern traffic until 1970. Since 1905 the streets of Embrach are electrically illuminated.

From Stagecoach to Zurich Transport Network

The old S41 train, now runs the new light Thurbo

In the valley runs from 1862 for 20 years a mail- and stagecoach on the route Rorbas - Embrach - Kloten. The Schweizerische Nordostbahn (NOB - Director Alfred Escher) get by 1870 a concession for the construction of the railway line "Winterthur - Embrach - Bülach - Koblenz". Start of construction was 1874, there were an average of 1400 workers, 225 trolleys, and 60 horses used. The many workers came from Italy. A railway bridge (metal) near the Haumühle spans the Wildbach in 1875. It was newly built in 1950 as stone arch bridge. The Dättenberg was on 23 October 1875 drillt through. The tunnel and the whole line opened 1876. The settlement area Embrach develops as a consequence in a northerly direction. The SBB tookover in 1902 the NOB.

The first bus line is licensed to operate on the route 1932 Rorbas - Freinstein - Embrach - Kloten. From 1942 the PTT runs the line from Teufen. Today, the ZVV line 520 operate from Teufen - Freienstein - Rorbas - Embrach - to the airport Zurich Kloten. The Zürcher Verkehrsverbund (ZVV) since 1990 optimizes the connections with S-Bahn and bus lines. Embrach is every half hour connected to the cities Bülach (5 minutes), Kloten (10 minutes), Winterthur (20 minutes) and Zurich (35 minutes).

The Future a highway?

Truck trafic in Embrach

The biggest problem of the community is the private transport. According to survey of the Canton (2007) each workday passes up to 17,000 motor vehicles the main road in Embrach. Already in the construction zone regulations of 1953 and 1962 (Bau- und Zonenordnung Embrach 1953 und 1962), a north and east bypass were scheduled. In 1976, a small part of northern bypass was built, but a continuation through the Dättenberg until now could not be realized. In the traffic plan from 26 March 2007 is planned a highway that connects Bülach and Winterthur (part of the outer north bypass of Zurich). Alternatives to this four-lane highway, also in the above plan, are back once again a east bypass Embraport - Lufingen and a tunnel through the Dättenberg to Bachenbülach. The money for both projects are not in sight.

History

Beginnings

First traces of settlement are grave finds at Ofengupf in Oberembrach from the Bronze Age around 800 BC In the catchment area of Embrach valley many Roman settlements are documented. In the valley itself there are few traces of Roman, documented only a few coins and shards finds. Security is the name Embrach Gallo-Roman origin. Imbriacus (1044 first written down as Imbriaguam), from Imbri (rain) Acus (field), so fields of rain. Or Imbrex (Roman cbrick) Acus, so the fields of Brickmaker. The second option fits so nicely for the further history of the place ...

Middle Ages, With Written Documents

Timber in the forest "Hüeneren

A Alamanni population is first mentioned around 750. In 820 we find a record to the hamlet and mill of Illingen as estate of the cathedral (Grossmünster) in Zurich. The mill is clearly a sign of extensive agriculture in Embrach Valley to this time. Excavation in 1992 lay the foundations of the first monastery freely, radiocarbon dated to the 9th century. The Hunfried certificate mentioned Embrach on 1044 the first time in written from. The secular power is in the wake of the Toggenburger. Heidegger (they have a tavern right in Embrach) and Bochsler are Embrach nobleman in the 14th century. In the Sempacherkrieg (1386) and later in the Old Zurich War (1444) the troops of the Eidgenossen plundering, destroy the church and the convent.

After this war the governmental power over Embrach chances from the House of Habsburg to the state of Zurich. A Latin school in the Abbey at 1454 is documented. At the turn of the century the population is growing strongly. The consequences are massive inflation, wages collapse and widespread poverty. It follows that what we today would call economic development program. Wine and wood use will be encouraged to adopt taxes. The vineyard employs more people than arable economy. Grubbing enlarges the area, but lead to legal uncertainty, which at the time is record to Embrach.

From the Reformation to the Civil Community

The green town hall

Heinrich Brennwald (1478-1551, author of a four Swiss Chronicle books) enters 1518 as the last provost of the Monastery of Embrach. The Monastery was under Brennwald 1524 in the wake of the Zurich Reformation secularized. Embrach is now reformed. A gradual migration stop imported from 1556 aims to prevent economic collapse. In 1547 the first appearance of today's municipal coat of arms with two crossed keys of Saint Peter. With the reformation of Zwingli, more and more in children's education is invested. Classes are held in the parish office of the inn, and from 1740 in Journeyman house of 1522. An extremely long cold winter 1571 caused a massive inflation (partly 1000%) in food and soil. Zurich approved the pledge of the municipality of large parts of the community property. One fifth of the population will shift to poverty. A local 1715 hail storm devastated the village. A large sum of donations from around the region and Zurich comes to repairing the damage together. The repairs take up to three years. The autumn storms in 1739 laid the forest in the "Hardwald" flat, the economic loss to the community is tremendous. And there is no better. An earthquake shook Embrach in 1778, the church from 1446 collapses. The building was never really stable; it was constantly renewed and patched. Even before the major political upheavals at the turn of the century, in 1780 a new church was completed. It is up to now used transverse oval church by David Vogel.

Age of Enlightenment

Residential area "Im Feld"

In 1799 up to 40,000 Austrians and French military man are in the valley of Embrach. The damage will be at 28 million CHF (converted to current conditions) is estimated. The founding of Canton of Zurich in 1803 by Napoleon (Mediation Constitution). 1809 Oberembrach achieved independence. in the consequence Embrach was called Unterembrach until 1931. The first cantonal referendum on 10 March 1831 takes place. The liberal constitution based on the "Memorials von Uster" was debatable and adopted. As a result, a huge political and economic grow was achieved. Modern roads (1838 - 1964) and railroads (1874 - 1876) are built, communication services are launched (1850), school houses are constructed and health services are established. The administrative centre for the area at the Amtshaus Embrach was moved in 1831 to the Bülach district administration. On Easter Tuesday 1856 Eduard Gotthard Engel is a murder victim of a robbery. Already 14 days later, the two perpetrators, the well-known day labourers Jakob Bosshard and Jakob Reinberger, are beheaded with the guillotine in Zurich. Thousands of onlookers were witnesses. This was one of the last civilian executions in the Canton of Zurich.

Up to the present

Psychiatrie-Zentrum Hard (PZH)

Hydroelectric power station

For a long time the industry in the Embrach valley produce electric energy from local hydropower used various small ponds. This water reservoirs are today still found in on both sides of the Embrach valley slops. That changes when in 1904 the power plant was established. A year later the streets are electrically illuminated. In 1934 a swimming pool with diving tower the Chlostergumpen was made. Total land amelioration was made 1963-65, not everyone was satisfied with the result.
Due to its favourable geographical location near Winterthur Bülach Zurich and in particular the Zurich Airport Embrach is 1960-1965 a fast growing community. The Swissair builds on Dreispitz an entire residential district for its employees. East of the village at Sonnenberg emerges family homes at a prime location. In "Im Feld" were modest apartment buildings built.
Since 1965 a controversial shooting range for hunters existing at the Au very close to the Töss River. In 1972 a indoor and outdoor swimming pool was build, the present "Badi Talegg". 2004-2005 renewed and expanded. A huge construction site shows large change in 1972 on the northern edge of Embrach. The duty free Embraport camp opens its doors 1973.
After a long planning starting 1918 (from 1945 on was the location Embrach in conversation) was in the year 1974 the third Psychiatric Clinic of the Canton of Zurich on the Hard in Embrach opened. In the area since 1989 a transit centre for asylum seekers is running. The Psychiatrie-Zentrum Hard (PZH) and the Integrierte Psychiatrie Winterthur (ipw) merge in January 2010. Maybe the end of this Embrach intuition in the near future. The municipalities of Embrach Valley operated since 1982, a retirement home for up to 100 elderly people (after enlargement in 2010).
Hurricane Lothar (gusts to 270 kilometres per hour) in 1999 devastated large areas municipal and private forest.
In 2004 the hydroelectric power station at the Töss River was modernized. The output is 2,000,000 kWh per year, which is the electricity need of about 1000 people in the Canton of Zurich. The EW Embrach is responsible for the operation.

Politics

Party strength

Embrach

Zurich state council elections in %	1926	1939	1947	1959	1967	1979	1987	1999	2007
SVP	44.5	49.6	33.6	30.8	16.2	28.3	26.2	39.7	42.8
SP	31.3	16.8	35.2	29.4	35.5	27.3	17.2	18.1	17.5
FDP	15.6	10.1	10.7	17.8	23	16.0	16.4	12.8	9.3
Grüne	-	-	-	-	-	-	12.2	3.4	7.7
CVP	7.2	3.3	5.2	6.7	5.8	7.4	5.3	7.3	8.3
LDU from 2007 GLP	-	8.6	4.7	6.6	11.1	7.3	5.2	1.9	5.2
EVP	-	10.6	9.7	8.7	8.4	9.6	6.4	3.8	4.5

Municipal Council

(6 Members, status 2008)

• Mayor, Albert Berbier, SVP
• Deputy mayor/Chairman of the maintenance board, Franz Kolb, SVP
• Chairman of the primary school supervisory board, Peter Tschudi, SVP
• Chairman of the social board, Regula Bächi-Seiler, FDP
• Chairman of the community security board, Rolf Jäger, CVP
• Chairman of the construction board and the real estate board, Max Weber, FDP

Personalities

Abraham Ganz

• Abraham Ganz (* 1814 in Unter-Embrach, 1867 † in Budapest, Hungary) Industry pioneer.
• Otmar Blumer (*1848 in Glarus, 1900 † in Unter-Embrach) Cotton manufacturer, member of the council of states (Ständerat), member of the Zurich state council, colonel brigadier of the Swiss cavalry.
• Karl Kolb (* 1889 in Hörhausen, Thurgau) Veterinarian, 48 yaers board member of Embrach primary school, 24 yaers Mayor, Swiss army Colonel in war time.
• Fritz Ganz (* 1916 in Neftenbach – 1992 † in Embrach) Electrician, professional cyclist, board member of "EWZ" und "NOK", unionists, 16 yaers chairman of Embrach primary school, chairman of the retirement home commission, board member of KZU, mayor, member of the Zurich state council, chairman of the state national council, member of the national council.

Culture and Leisure

Artist

Kingfisher near "Haumühle"

Hedwig Neri
Hedwig Neri (* 1914 in Embrach – 1997 † in Embrach) The ceramic and faience painter Hedwig Zangger Neri works from 1945 in addition to clay with glass, textiles, oil paint and pencil. An example is the picture from Murano glass in the abdication hall. Not far away, in the old Amtshaus, live and act the Neris. The house is a place of culture and attracts many artists. Ruedi Walter, Inigo Gallo and Margrit Rainer are frequent guests. Today in the year 2008, Nicola Di Capua, and the soprano Gabriela Bergallo scepter in history Amtshaus.

Bella Neri
Bella Neri (*1942 in Embrach) is the daughter of Hedwig Neri. Bella Neri was in Zurich for the actress and make educated career with the Federal theater, in film and television. She works with Margrit Rainer, Ruedi Walter, Stephanie Glaser, Walter Roderer and many more. Today is Bella Neri next stage of their activity with productions of all kinds for children.

Natur in Embrach

Alain Garnier
Alain Garnier (*1926 in Blois, Frankreich - 2005† in Embrach) Resistance, studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris. Painter, ceramist, sculptor in metal.
One of his early works is the stage setting for Jean-Paul Sartre 's drama "Les mouches" in theater "Le vieux Colombier. The meeting with Picasso 1947 influenced his work, he turns to the ceramic designer and later in "Rosenthal". Garnier moves to Switzerland in 1972 and 1980 after Embrach, where he worked in the Obermühle a ceramic workshop and gallery in the brick hut in a metal workshop operates. The fountain in front of the Post and the iron sculpture in front of the village schoolhouse come from him. A tragic accident cost him 2005, the life.

Arthur Woods
The Swiss American Artist Arthur Woods (*1948 in Talaquah, Oklahoma, USA) lives 1981 - 2005 in Embrach. In this time various Space Art projects. The Cosmic Dancer from Arthur Woods visits on 22 May 1993 the Russian Mir space station. It is the reduction of plastic from the year 1986, up to now in the residential area "Im Grund" is. Arthur's large oil paintings often show motive from the Embrach environment, for example the picture "Sonntagsspaziergang" in the parish house. Today Artur Woods has an art gallery in Stein am Rhein.

Attractions

Hiking trail

• Töss river canyon near "Bindensteg". From the bridge (Bindensteg) to the power plant in Freienstein the Töss canyon is a protectet zones of national importance.
• Haumühle with historical sawmill and flour mill driven as ever with massive water wheels. In addition, the area around the mill is a nature reserve of regional exploitation. With rare plants and birds like the Kingfisher. The creek wedges here through a small gorge before it plunges over a waterfall, and leads at Rorbas in the Töss river.
• The best view point to the Embrachertal and the Alps, is at the top of Forenirchel. There are footpaths from the Castle Teufen, Dättlikon or Freienstein. It's also a nice ride with the mountain bike.

Leisure

• "Badi Talegg" with indoor pool swimming, whirlpool, outdoor swimming pool suroundet by shady trees, and finish sauna.
• Walking around on the "Blauen", forest trail. From parking at the "Warpel" easily accessible.
• Walking from Oberembrach to Rorbas longitudinally through the town, all along the creek. Grilling spots can be found at the Haumühle, wood is ready for use. At the beginning and end of the hikeing trail, there are bus stops, restaurants and parking are also available.
• Walk on the Dättenberg from Augwil to Tössegg. At or near the border of Embrach, beautiful views to the Alps and the valley. Various opportunities for grilling. Postal Bus Station at start "Hinter Marcheln" and near the end in Teufen (just 10 minutes above Tössegg)in Teufen.

Photos

• 
  Harvester on Embrach cornfields
• 
  Swimming pool "Badi Talegg"
• 
  The ancient saw and flour mill "Haumühle"
• 
  The green town hall
• 
  Residential area "Im Feld"
• 
  Winery "Guldenberg"

Literatur

All in German

• Baer Hans, 200 Jahre "neue" Kirche Embrach. Ein Beitrag zur Baugeschichte der reformierten Kirche Embrach. 1980.
• Baer Hans, Legenden und Sagen aus dem Embrachertal. Lesegesellschaft Bülach, 1981
• Baer Hans, Geschichte der Gemeinde Embrach Band 1. Von den Anfängen bis zur Französischen Revolution. Kulturkommission Embrach, 1994.
• Baer Hans, Embracher Laufbrunnen. Kulturkommission Embrach, 1996
• Wiggenhauser Béatrice, Klerikale Karrieren: Das ländliche Chorherrenstift Embrach und seine Mitglieder im Mittelalter. 1997. ISBN 390531245X
• Stromer Markus, Geschichte der Gemeinde Embrach. Band 2: Das 19. und 20. Jahrhundert. 1999.
• Baer Hans, Embrach – einst und jetzt. Kulturkommission Embrach, 2001

References

All in German only

Weblinks

• Embrach in German, French and Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
• Offizielle Website der Gemeinde Embrach german