Hemmental

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Hemmental

Canton	Schaffhausen
District	n.a.
Coordinates	47°44′N 8°35′E
Population	542 (December 2005)
Area	10.78 km²
Elevation	588 m
Postal code	8231
SFOS number	2934
Mayor	Hermann Schlatter
Website	www.hemmental.ch
Hemmental

The village of Hemmental lies embedded in the heart of the Randens, 600 meters above sea level in the canton of Schaffhausen. Due to this altitude, the sun often shines in Hemmental, particularly in the winter; while the city of Schaffhausen is covered with fog. Hemmental is roughly 4.5 km outside of the city limits of Schaffhausen and 7 km away from the Schaffhausen train station.

[edit] First Settlement

It is generally accepted that Hemmental was settled between the 7th and 8th centuries by the Alemans. Local tradition states that the village was named after a Germanic priest probably named Hemo. According to the records of Burkhard of Nellenburg, in 1090 Hemo gave Hemmental, together with Buesingen and Berslingen, to the Abbey of Allerheiligen in Schaffhausen. About 30 families may have lived at that time in Hemmental.

[edit] Leu, Schlatter, Hatt and Mettler families

In the year 1483, the name "Schlatter" first appears in Hemmental, followed by those of "Mettler", "Hatt" and "Leu". These families dominated in the area. Today, there are also the four place names, Schlatter, Leuen, Hatten and Mettlerhof reflecting this influence. Three of these family names still prevail in Hemmental; the name Mettler no longer being found here. It is these four names which, in 1951, led to the resolution that a new village coat of arms be introduced - four golden stars on blue and red shield.

The municipality ranks among the financially weakest in the canton. In the village there are approximately 550 inhabitants, 48% of the total population being younger than age 40; 25% are under 18.

Excerpted from www.hemmental.ch