OberaargauThe Oberaargau is the region that encompasses the upper watershed of the Aar River in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. On the north, lie the Jura Mountains, and on the south the hills leading to the Emmental. Administratively, the Oberaargau forms a district within the region Emmental-Oberaargau of the canton of Bern. Historically (until 2009), the Oberaargau comprised the two administrative districts of Wangen and Aarwangen. It lies in the extreme northeast corner of the canton and includes the districts of Aarwangen and Wangen, and part of the district of Trachselwald.
SchwarzhäusernSchwarzhäusern is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Originally it was known as Rufshausen and that name was first recorded in 1100 as Rudolfshausen. It was first mentioned in 1677 as Schwartzenheüßeren, a name that would become Schwarzhäusern. Several mesolithic or neolithic flint tools have been found in sites around the municipality. There are several early medieval graves at Klebenrain.
BannwilBannwil is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Bannwil is first mentioned in 1262 as Benwile. The area around Bannwil was inhabited during the Hallstatt era and the Early Middle Ages. During the Middle Ages, Bannwil was part of the low court of Aarwangen and the district court of Buchsgau. These two courts began to come under Bernese control in 1432 and by 1463 were completely part of Bern. Over the following centuries, Bannwil alternated between the bailiwicks of Bipp and Aarwangen.
BleienbachBleienbach is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Bleienbach is first mentioned in 1194 as Blaichinbach. Evidence of prehistoric settlements near Bleienbach include a Hallstatt grave mound in Oberbützberg, a High Medieval earthen fortress in Eggwald, and an ancient road near the village church. The low court and right to appoint priests to the village church were originally part of the Herrschaft of Langenstein-Grünenberg.
WynauWynau is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Wynau is first mentioned in 1201 as Wimenouwe. Evidence of prehistoric settlements at Wynau include; individual Bronze Age items along the Aare river, the remains of a Roman manor at Hoferrain-Birchi and a sunken Roman ship with a rudder in the Aare. Possibly medieval graves have been found on the Höchi along with clearly medieval graves at Aegerten.
LangenthalLangenthal is a town and a municipality in the district of Oberaargau in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. On 1 January 2010 the municipality of Untersteckholz merged into the Langenthal. On 1 January 2021 the former municipality of Obersteckholz merged into Langenthal. Langenthal is an educational, cultural, and economic center for the region of Oberaargau. Archeological evidence suggests that early settlements existed around 4000 B.C. in the Langenthal area. A Hallstatt necropolis with twelve grave mounds has been found at Unterhard.
Canton of BernThe canton of Bern or Berne (Kanton Bern; Chantun Berna; canton de Berne; Canton Berna) is one of the 26 cantons forming the Swiss Confederation. Its capital city, Bern, is also the de facto capital of Switzerland. The bear is the heraldic symbol of the canton, displayed on a red-yellow background. Comprising ten districts, Bern is the second-largest canton by both surface area and population. Located in west-central Switzerland, it is surrounded by eleven cantons. It borders the canton of Jura and the canton of Solothurn to the north.
