Schwanden bei Brienz

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Coordinates: 46°45′N, 8°3′E

Schwanden bei Brienz
Country Switzerland Coat of Arms of Schwanden bei Brienz
Canton Berne
District Interlaken
46°45′N, 8°3′E
Population 596  (January 2005)
  - Density 84 /km² (217 /sq.mi.)
Area 7.1 km² (2.7 sq mi)
Elevation 659 m (2,162 ft)
Postal code 3855
SFOS number 0592
Mayor Xaver Pfyl
Surrounded by Giswil, Hofstetten bei Brienz, Brienz and Flühli
Schwanden bei Brienz (Switzerland)
Schwanden bei Brienz
Schwanden bei Brienz

Schwanden bei Brienz (until 1911 officially named Schwanden) is a municipality in the district of Interlaken in the canton of Bern in Switzerland.

It lies in the Bernese Oberland south of the Brienzer Rothorn, which forms the natural border between the Bernese Oberland and Central Switzerland.

Schwanden is a name of a clearing, that was applied to the settlement built there. The name goes back to the Swiss German Schwand- ("clearing"). The added "bei Brienz" was added in 1911 to ease distinction with the municipality Schwanden in the canton of Glarus, and numerous villages across Switzerland. The first historical appearance of the place was in 1524.

The three streams Glyssibach, Schwanderbach, and Lammbach flow through the town and lead soon thereafter to Lake Brienz. In the past the streams were dangerous, as they were prone to sudden onrushes of water. In order to reduce the danger, walls have been built to contain it in certain areas.