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.
GondiswilGondiswil (local dialect Gumiswil) is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Gondiswil is first mentioned in the mid-9th century as Cundolteswilare. The only evidence of prehistoric people in Gondiswil are some scattered neolithic items that were found near Staldershaus. During the Middle Ages the major landowners were all local nobles. However, in 841-72 the Perchtgers donated land to the Abbey of St. Gallen. In 1194 the Baron of Langenstein granted some land in Gondiswil to St.
ReisiswilReisiwil is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Reisiswil is first mentioned in 1194 as Richolsiswillare. Reisiswil was part of the lands of the Counts of Langenstein-Grünenberg. Some land in the village was given in the 12th century to St. Urban's Abbey, while the Abbey of St. Gall became a major landholder as well. The St. Gallen properties were managed by the Counts of Grünenberg. With the extinction of the Grünenberg line, Bern inherited the village in 1504.
MadiswilMadiswil is a municipality in the Oberaargau administrative district in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. Since January 1, 2007, Gutenburg is part of the municipality. On 1 January 2011 Kleindietwil and Leimiswil were merged with the municipality of Madiswil. Madiswil is first mentioned in 795 as Madalestwilare. The ruins of Early Medieval ring fort at Weiherköpfli, an undated ring fort at Fuchsmatt and an undated fort at Grauenstein are the earliest evidence of settlements in Madiswil.
