Gals, Switzerland

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Gals, Switzerland

Gals is a small municipality in the Seeland district of the canton of Bern, Switzerland. It covers about 7.8 square kilometers and sits at 445 meters above sea level. The coordinates are roughly 47.03°N, 7.05°E. As of December 2020, the population was 828. The people there mainly speak German, with some residents speaking French or other languages.

Location and landscape: Gals lies between the Thielle canal, Lake Biel, and Jolimont hill. The land use is a mix of farmland (about half), forest (about a third), and small areas of settlement. The village includes areas such as Bethlehem and Zihlbrücke.

History: Gals is first mentioned in 1185 as Galles. It was associated with the Bernese Erlach Abbey and became part of Bern’s Seeland region. In the late 19th century the Thielle canal was built, draining marshland to create farmland. A brickyard operated from 1658 to 1960, and a watch-parts factory opened in the 19th century. In 1894 the nearby village of Zihlbrücke merged with Gals.

Heritage: The Jolimont-Gut manor house near Gals is a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The Jolimont-Gut estate has Gothic origins with later Neo-Gothic additions, and it has undergone renovations over the years. The village as a whole is listed in the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Population and society: In 2000, most residents spoke German, with a French-speaking minority. The population includes Swiss and foreign residents. There are about 266 permanently occupied apartments, with a small vacancy rate in recent years.

Economy and work: In 2011 the unemployment rate was about 1.7%. The economy includes agriculture, manufacturing, and services; many residents commute to jobs outside Gals, making it a net exporter of workers. Many people travel by car to work.

Education: The Canton of Bern provides kindergarten, primary, and lower secondary education. In 2010–11 there were about 50 students in Gals, with some students coming from homes where a language other than the classroom language is spoken.

Website: www.gals.ch