Did you know Wangen-Brüttisellen’s history stretches back to 1148? That’s when Brüttisellen was first mentioned as Britisseldon. We stand here today in a place with a rich past. Wangen-Brüttisellen is a municipality in the Uster district of Zurich. It’s nestled in the Glatt Valley. This area’s unique character comes from its two distinct parts. Rural Wangen and suburban Brüttisellen. They each have their own identity. Wangen maintains its charming rural character with its half-timbered houses. Brüttisellen on the other hand reflects its proximity to Zurich’s industrial suburbs.
Wangen-Brüttisellen’s story is fascinating. It includes a blend of rural and urban influences. The area’s history is longer than you think. Archaeological finds show settlement dating back to the Hallstatt period. A burial mound in Wangen proves this. In Brüttisellen Roman finds in the Lindenbuck area reinforce this. Later Brüttisellen was a seat of a knightly family. The village later became subject to Rapperswil.
Wangen has its own intriguing history too. In 1192 the Toggenburgs gifted Wangen to the Johanniter commandery of Bubikon. Wangen remained under Bubikon’s rule for centuries until 1618. Financial difficulties forced Bubikon to sell its rights to Zurich. The lower court then went to the Vogt of Kyburg.
The two parts of Wangen-Brüttisellen joined to form a single political community in 1831. This is the Wangen-Brüttisellen we see today. The development of the airfield was a significant event. This was decided in 1909 by local farmers and young aviators. It was mostly located on Wangen land but was named Dübendorf. The aim was to avoid confusion with other towns named Wangen.
In 1948 civil aviation relocated to Kloten. Walter Mittelholzer a prominent Swiss aviation pioneer lived in Wangen during this period. The municipality’s name officially changed to Wangen-Brüttisellen on January 1 1976. This reflected the unique identity and close ties of these two places. Today Wangen-Brüttisellen continues to thrive. A dynamic blend of its historic past and its modern outlook. It’s a testament to its resilient spirit. A community that has adapted to change while preserving its unique identity. This is Wangen-Brüttisellen. A place worth exploring and remembering.