Koniz Travel Guide, Switzerland

Koniz, Switzerland - Overview

The municipality of Koniz is located in the well-known region of Berne in Switzerland. It has a population of around 38,098 residents and this municipality is actually part of the 15 most heavily populated places in the entire country. Koniz is the nation’s biggest suburban municipality. Even if it is way past the necessary 10,000 inhabitants, this municipality flatly declines the title of a certified “town.”

Geography

The municipality of Köniz is situated in the southern area of Berne. Together with around 38,000 residents that include roughly 5,000 foreigners, this is the fourth biggest municipality in the Berne region and it is also the 12th biggest in the country. Koniz takes up an area of 51 square kilometers and its coordinates are 46°56′N and 7°24′E.

Currency

The official legal tender in Koniz is the Swiss Franc. Foreigners wanting to exchange their money could do so at the airport, post office or train stations.

Language

The official language in the municipality of Koniz is French and the German language is also spoken.

Transportation

Since Koniz is beautifully located in Berne, the place is easily accessible. People could get around the municipality by cars. Public transports are also available such as buses and trains that connect it to other key locations in the region.

History

Koniz has been inhabited for a long period of time. In the municipality, one could find several Iron Age as well as Bronze Age treasures, some Roman villas, and there are also quite a few graveyards dating back to the Early Middle Ages. The most ancient sections of the improved parish church, which was previously St. Peter and Paul Church, could be traced back to approximately the 1100s.

Based on legends, the parish church was put up by Rudolph II, a Burgundian king along with his wife Bertha. Not only did the church make up the present municipality, but also the vicinity around Berne in modern times, which was roughly 5 kilometers away. During the year 1191, that edifice was acknowledged as the parish church of the recently established town.

Ever since Koniz has been established, there had always been an Augustinian monastery that could be found in the church. The monastery was presented by King Heinrich VII to the Teutonic Knights back in 1226 and one of the monastery friars was appointed as the parish priest. The growth of Berne went hand in hand with the development of the church in the area.

The municipality of present day Koniz has developed during 1846. Until these days, Koniz continues to grow and residents of this attractive municipality are also increasing in number.