Beringen (; High Alemannic: Beringe) is a municipality in the canton of Schaffhausen in Switzerland. On 1 January 2013 the municipality of Guntmadingen merged into the municipality of Beringen.Nomenklaturen – Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz accessed 9 February 2013
History
Switzerland's history and Beringen's as well is linked back to the Ice Age and Stone Age. But, more specifically beginning with The Helvetians, a Celtic tribe, give their name to the Swiss territory: hence HELVETIA on Swiss flags, coins and stamps, ch = Confoederatio Helvetica on cars and internet domains.
This is where the story and timeline of not only Swiss history but that of Berginen really begins, around 800–58 B.C.
Bronze Age In the Eschheimer Valley near Beringen, a gravesite had been discovered that is believed to reach back to the early Bronze Age. Several feet below the surface and covered by a layer of rocks, a skeleton was discovered, along with a bronze ax with a blade and dagger, as well as a decorative needle, a piece of wire, and several bronze nails. This grave was typical for the burial customs of the early Bronze Age.History of the Canton of Schaffhausen, 1901, p.37
Roman period There is good evidence that a "Hof" (cluster of buildings) in the Lieblosen-Valley dates back to the time when the Romans governed the territory, as can be seen by an ancient supporting wall embracing the living quarters and two economy buildings.
"When the Celtic Helvetians attempted to move south from Switzerland to Southern France they were stopped by the Roman commander and subsequent emperor C. Julius Cesar in 58 B.C. They were forced to return to Switzerland. The Romans controlled Switzerland's territory until about A.D. 400. Roman military camps and forts were erected at the northern Rhine frontier..."
A spectacular find was discovered when a military tile was unearthed showing the imprint of the 11th and 21st legion as well as the 26th cohort, indicating the presence of a corps of volunteers made up of Roman citizens.
Similar tiles have been found in Doroni-Hof in Beringen.History of Canton of Switzerland, 1901, p.45
Growth Beringen grew up along the creek that now runs through the village. The water drove mills in Beringen, such as the flour mill (no longer in operation), the gypsum mill (replaced by homes), and the so-called Oele (now the site of the municipal swimming pool). Water was needed for the dye-shops in the former Doktorhaus (house for Doctors, now a business establishment). Along the banks of the town creek, people washed everything, including pails, troughs, and related objects. The creek also served as drinking water for livestock, and was the only help in case of a fire.
Naturally, the first settlers established themselves close to the creek, one house next to the other. Two rows of houses formed the original village. When fire consumed one of the houses, it was not replaced; instead, a building for public use was erected. This made it possible that six or more households could be supplied with water instead of only one or two. The best and best-preserved example of this is the Leunhof, a well-known restaurant. Others are the Huggehof, Chloesteril, Kellerhof, Vogelhof, and Paradieserhof, Prinzenhof, and the Winkel. The Chelhof stands close to the church and far away from the creek, next to the well.
Today, Beringen's creek is now covered over. Water is supplied through an extensive system of pipes, large blocks for apartments and businesses have been erected, new buildings with small industries, and there are only a few agricultural buildings and outfits existing.
Built heritage There many notable old building that still exist in Beringen:
The Church of Beringen One does not know the Patron Saint of this church, for sure. Possibly it can be Saint George who appears in an ancient coat of arms of Beringen. In a Chronicle of the historian, Rueger is a reference to a church in Beringen from the year 1061, but there is no official record until the year 1231. In 1580, an addition was built at the west end, and in 1642 an addition was constructed at the east end. In 1645, a tower was added, including a clock. New bells replaced the four old bells in 1906 and five years later an organ was installed. Two further renovations took place in 1965 and 1991. Residents continue to enjoy the steeple and sun clock.
The Parsonage of Beringen The old residence of the village parson, across the street from the Huenen Castle, continues to serve as the center of the church congregation. Extensive remodeling and restoration has taken place over the years. A historic chestnut tree that once adorned the premises was taken down in 1955, due to the realignment of the street.
Castle of the Huenen of Beringen Family (circa 13th century) The Huenen of Beringen family were aristocrats who built the Castles during the 13th century, and enlarged it in succeeding centuries. There is a drawing with a "Legende" or legend which indicates various parts were built and added in the 13th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries.
Through the initiative of the Improvement Society for the castle of Beringen (today it's called the Beringen Castle Foundation), the entire castle was extensively restored so that various rooms and facilities have been used for the Museum of Beringen for historical folklore purposes, since 1989. The collection consists of items from the regions of Beringen, Guntmadingen, and Loehningen, and is an attraction in the village.
The Peradise-Estate (Monastery) The monastery "Paradice", intent on enlarging its possessions, purchased in 1289 several parcels of land in Beringen. On 11 July 1291, Heinrich Ritter, a citizen of Schaffhausen, sold a large estate, called the "Kehlhof", to the monastery. Five years later, on 20 December 1296, Heinrich, the Pastor of Zurzach and Merishausen and his brother, Ulrich of Schaffhausen sold another estate in Beringen, "The Bonstetten", to the same Monastery.
The monastery was operated by nuns and within a few decades they managed to possess considerable acreage in Beringen. When Beringen was settled, the houses that had been built on these properties were called "Paradieserhof".
The MunggeHof A "Hof" consists of buildings, usually a dwelling, barn, livestock sheds and a shop. Hofs groupings were almost little worlds onto themselves.
The word, "Mungge" is the dialect term of "Moench", or the English equivalent Monks". Others are the VogelHof, the Chehlhof, the Paradise-Hof and the Cellar-Hof, all of which are witnesses of the years when the monasteries owned and controlled large tracts of land and real estate, such as the Munggehoff.
The Munggehof served the community well, it was here where on the last Sunday of April that the annual "Beringer-Chilbi", or community folk festival was held. One of its features was a riding circle standing in the center of the square, while fringe fruits, bakery items, and other goodies were sold. Eventually, the square was too small for these festivals which are now held on the Fire-Square.
The VogelHof The Vegelhof was one of the oldest parts of the village, and the houses were built very tightly together, the roofs extended far towards the front as protection against rain and sun. The entrances into the cellars were on the front side of the buildings, and wide stairways lead into the second floor of each house.
Vogel was the name of one of the families living there. Coopers, furniture builders, and stonemasons were established here. The last survivors of the Vogel family died in 1978.
The Lions Inn (before 1711) In Switzerland, many restaurants and hotels carry the name of an animal for identification ( examples: Lion, Bear, Eagle, etc.) Beringen's most famous restaurant was the "Lion". It was first named in a historical record of 1711. Called a tavern or inn, the owner was obliged to affix to the building a very elaborate sign made of cast iron, depicting a lion.
The "Lion" served as the seat for the "Society of Boys" of Beringen. Such societies have existed since the 15th century. The one headquartered in the "Lion" is the only one existing in the Canton of Shauffhausen. This building is a large three story building which sits on a corner. Its front is decorated with ornate words and scrolled imagery along with an image of a lion and keeper. This image spans the entire front of the building, between the second and third floors.
In 1845, another organization was founded in the "Lion", an association of artisans and tradesmen, the "Gewerbeverein" It was the first association ever organized in Beringen. Its name was later changed to "Reading Society" (Leseverein), but was dissolved in 1960. Although the building was still standing in 2004, it was being used for apartments and a beauty salon, the restaurant and inn facilities were abandoned in the 1930s. The large Lion sign has been saved and adorns the staircase of the new and more modern community center "Zelg"
The Old School House (c. 1739) The school house was built in 1826, and renovated in 1965. The square on which it stands was owned by the Monastery "Allerheiligen" (All Saints) which intended to initially be built as a barn to collect tithing. However, due to political and ecumenical changes, the barn was never built.
The original school house was built in 1739, however, there are no plans or pictures that remain to show its size or appearance. It was destroyed by fire in 1824, after it had served the village for 85 years. The first teacher was Hansjakob Huser, who served from 1608 to 1645.
The children from the neighboring village of Neuhausen, those in higher grades, attended school at the Beringen school house. At the time, Neuhausen was merely a small village of fishers and teamsters, and had no rooms for the higher grades.
By May 1949 a new school house was built-the third one; and it was dedicated to Zimmerberg, but 40 years later, it was already too small and a larger structure was in the planning stages. Because of the sharp increase in the student population, many were schooled in the old school house.
The Old Flour Mill (c. 1536) The mill building is several hundred years old. It lies at the upper end of the village. Historically, it was first described in 1536; it belonged to the community as a whole and was leased back to some of the burghers every few years. Repairs and renovations took place in 1843 for the house, 1842 for the mill, and 1841 for the barn. The mill ceased operation decades ago, but the building is still used as a dwelling. Above the main door is the following engraved verse:
I mill my flour for everyone, Good bread awaits him who can bake. But, there is no miller in all the world who can mill to satisfy everyone.
Der "Gipsmuehle" – The Gypsum Mill This mill was owned for many generations by the Boll family. The water wheel was six meters (18 feet) high. The gypsum came from the nearby town of Schleitheim and was hauled first by a wagon with six horses, and then later by streetcars. When the material was unloaded in front of the mill, it was first burned in kilns seven feet high; the heavy smoke rose from many holes because it was impossible to build a chimney. The next process was to break the burned gypsum up into small pieces, and then to transfer it into the mill.
As long as the water was plentiful, the mill ran 24 hours a day. in 1900, 50 kilo of gypsum cost 70 cents; the price went up to four times as much by 1949. By this time, the mill suffered from old age; repairs and remodeling would have cost to much, and so its operation ceased. Today, it has been replaced by several apartment buildings.
The "Old" Post House