# Greppen > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Greppen > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Greppen.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greppen > Source revision: 1275868585 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) Municipality in Lucerne, Switzerland Greppen Municipality Coat of arms Location of Greppen Greppen Show map of Switzerland Greppen Show map of Canton of Lucerne Coordinates: 47°03′N 08°26′E / 47.050°N 8.433°E / 47.050; 8.433 Country Switzerland Canton Lucerne District Lucerne Area [1] • Total 5.25 km2 (2.03 sq mi) Elevation 447 m (1,467 ft) Population (December 2020) • Total 1,185 • Density 226/km2 (585/sq mi) Time zone UTC+01:00 (CET) • Summer (DST) UTC+02:00 (CEST) Postal code 6404 SFOS number 1056 ISO 3166 code CH-LU Surrounded by Küssnacht (SZ), Meggen, Weggis Website www.greppen.ch **Greppen** is a [municipality](/source/Municipalities_of_Switzerland) in the district of [Lucerne](/source/Lucerne_(district)) in the [canton](/source/Cantons_of_Switzerland) of [Lucerne](/source/Lucerne_(canton)) in [Switzerland](/source/Switzerland). It lies at the base of huge Mount [Rigi](/source/Rigi). The exclave is separated by [Lake Lucerne](/source/Lake_Lucerne) from the rest of the district. ## History Greppen shares the history of its neighboring community of [Weggis](/source/Weggis). Mentioned for the first time, albeit indirectly, in 1259 as *Crepon*,[2] in a document of Heinrich von Heidegg, it belonged to the Habsburgs, and was sold to Lucerne in 1406 as part of the Vogti Neuhabsburg. In 1803 it was assigned to the [District of Lucerne](/source/District_of_Lucerne). ## Geography Aerial view (1947) Greppen lies on the eastern shore of the [Küssnacht](/source/K%C3%BCssnacht) arm of Lake Lucerne, at the base of Mount Rigi. Greppen stretches from Lake Lucerne up the west slope of Mount Rigi to just below Rigi-Staffel (elev. 1,400 m (4,600 ft)). The *Breitenacherreid* is a nature preserve. Greppen has an area of 3.3 km2 (1.3 sq mi). Of this area, 50.9% is used for agricultural purposes, while 39.7% is forested. The rest of the land, (9.4%) is settled.[3] In the 1997 land survey[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit), 39.7% of the total land area was forested. Of the agricultural land, 43.94% is used for farming or pastures, while 6.97% is used for orchards or vine crops. Of the settled areas, 7.88% is covered with buildings, 0.3% is industrial, and 1.21% is transportation infrastructure. ## Neighboring Municipalities Greppen borders on Weggis and Küssnacht in Canton [Schwyz](/source/Schwyz). It also shares a water border with [Meggen](/source/Meggen). ## Population ### Population Growth In 1798 there were only 240 inhabitants. The population grew until 1860 (1798-1860: +23.8%) and then fell to only by 244 by 1900. In the next twenty years, tourism brought with it rapid population growth (1900-1920: +51.8%). The number of inhabitants then remained about the same until 1980. Since then, the population has grown (1980-2004: +143.8%) because of improved transportation, the municipality's mild climate, and its proximity to [Lucerne](/source/Lucerne) and Küssnacht. Over the last 10 years the population has grown at a rate of 28.2%.[3] The historical population is given in the following table:[2] Population Growth Year Population 1456 c. 70 1695 c. 200 1798 240 1850 287 1860 297 1880 244 1900 228 1910 281 1920 346 1950 349 1980 349 1990 567 2000 770 2004 879 ### Languages As of 2000, 94.03% of the population speaks [German](/source/German_language), 1.3% speak [English](/source/English_language), and 0.91% speak [French](/source/French_language).[3] ### Religions-Denominations The population is traditionally [Catholic](/source/Catholic). In the 2000 census[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit), 65.97% were [Roman Catholic](/source/Roman_Catholic), 19.87% were [Protestant](/source/Protestant), 1.04% were [Orthodox Christians](/source/Eastern_Orthodox), and 0.52% were [Old Catholic](/source/Old_Catholic). Nonchristian minorities included [Atheists](/source/Atheist) (8.44%), [Muslims](/source/Muslims) (1.3%) and (2.47%) who did not answer the question.[4] ### Origin and Nationality In 2000, 90.39% of the population were Swiss citizens, of whom only 85.84% had passports. Immigrant groups included Germans (4.03%, or 4.68%, including those with dual citizenship), and Italians (0.65%, or 1.95%). Smaller immigrant groups were from France, Austria, Slovakia, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia. Greppen has a population (as of 31 December 2020) of 1,185.[5] As of 2007[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit), 10.9% of the population was made up of foreign nationals.[3] ### Age profile The age distribution in Greppen is; 246 people or 26.1% of the population is 0–19 years old. 237 people or 25.2% are 20–39 years old, and 367 people or 39% are 40–64 years old. The senior population distribution is 74 people or 7.9% are 65–79 years old, 14 or 1.5% are 80–89 years old and 3 people or 0.3% of the population are 90+ years old.[4] ### Households As of 2000[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit) there are 293 households, of which 82 households (or about 28.0%) contain only a single individual. 30 or about 10.2% are large households, with at least five members.[4] As of 2000[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit) there were 184 inhabited buildings in the municipality, of which 144 were built only as housing, and 40 were [mixed use](/source/Mixed-use_development) buildings. There were 97 single family homes, 27 double family homes, and 20 multi-family homes in the municipality. Most homes were either two (70) or three (52) story structures. There were only 5 single story buildings and 17 four or more story buildings.[4] ## Municipal Council The non-professional Municipal Council is formed of the following: - Marc Schnyder (Municipal President; Culture, Leisure, Economy) - Kurt Greter (Mayor; Real estate, Safety, Education, Traffic and Finance) - Roswitha Jenni (Social welfare) ### Elections In the canton-level elections of 2003, the civil parties won the following portions of the votes: CVP 33.16%, FDP 27.59%, SVP 19.07%. The leftist and progressive parties (SP and Green Alliance) won large portions of the votes, 9.48% and 8.25%, respectively, considering that Greppen is a rural municipality in the Lucerne District. Among the smallest parties, the Aktiven Senioren (Active Seniors) did the best, with 1.27%. In the 2007 election the most popular party was the [SVP](/source/Swiss_People's_Party) which received 29.4% of the vote. The next three most popular parties were the [CVP](/source/Christian_Democratic_People's_Party_of_Switzerland) (26.5%), the [FDP](/source/Free_Democratic_Party_of_Switzerland) (23%) and the [SPS](/source/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Switzerland) (10.1%).[3] ### "Fusion" Project The three municipalities near Mount Rigi in the District of Lucerne are planning a gradual union, because they already work together on many issues. ## Economy The population of Greppen find their livelihood in many diverse fields. Although traditionally dominated by cattle and alpine dairy farming, and fishing, people also raised Chestnuts (in the mild climate) and mined [Tuff](/source/Tuff). The widely used silk and linen weaving factories of the 19th century have disappeared. Major employers include culinary operations, (moderate) tourism, pharmaceuticals, and construction. The commuter balance paints a clear picture. 40 people commute to Greppen, whereas 280 (among a total of 421 employed) commute from Greppen (26.8% to Canton Schwyz, 20.7% to Canton [Zug](/source/Canton_of_Zug), 12.9% to Lucerne, and 11.4% to the neighboring municipality of Weggis). Greppen has an unemployment rate of 1.36%. As of 2005[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit), there were 47 people employed in the [primary economic sector](/source/Primary_sector_of_the_economy) and about 17 businesses involved in this sector. 35 people are employed in the [secondary sector](/source/Secondary_sector_of_the_economy) and there are 13 businesses in this sector. 69 people are employed in the [tertiary sector](/source/Tertiary_sector_of_the_economy), with 31 businesses in this sector.[3] As of 2000[\[update\]](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Greppen&action=edit) 54.7% of the population of the municipality were employed in some capacity. At the same time, females made up 41.3% of the workforce.[4] ### Tourism Because of such diverse projects as the alignment of the Zürichsee-Gotthard railroad track along Mount Rigi, and the failure to construct a railroad up Mount Rigi departing from Greppen, tourism is not as important in Greppen as it is in nearby municipalities. Two restaurants of renown in Greppen are the *Eidgenossen* and *St. Wendelin/Fische*. ## Transportation Greppen has possessed a ship dock of the Schifffahrtsgesellschaft des Vierwaldstättersees (SGV or Ship company of Lake Lucerne) since 1869. This company also set up a bus line from Küssnacht to [Brunnen](/source/Brunnen) via Weggis in 1932, which is important to local public transportation. The nearest train station is in Küssnacht, on the track from Lucerne to [Goldau](/source/Goldau). There is also a train station in [Brunnen](/source/Brunnen), which is on the Gotthard line. The nearest autobahn exchange, 5 km (3.1 mi) away in Küssnacht, has improved traffic and lead to a great increase in population. ## Schools There has been a village primary school in Greppen since 1809, which is attended by students in Kindergarten through grade 6. There are 8 students in Kindergarten and 84 students in the elementary grades. Students in grades 7 and above attend school in neighboring Weggis. The principal is Ruth Steiert-Hurschler. The entire Swiss population is generally well educated. In Greppen about 81.9% of the population (between age 25 and 64) have completed either non-mandatory [upper secondary education](/source/Education_in_Switzerland#Secondary) or additional higher education (either university or a *[Fachhochschule](/source/Fachhochschule)*).[3] ## Attractions In the 14th century the holy order of St. Wendelin was established, and a village chapel of St. Wendelin was built between 1483 and 1485. This church had to yield to the parish church of St. Wendelin in about 1645. There is an annual pilgrimage to Greppen on October 20. The relatively intact village quality of Greppen has put it on the Inventar schützenswerter Ortschaften, or the "Inventory of protected communities." ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Arealstatistik Standard - Gemeinden nach 4 Hauptbereichen"](https://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/de/home/statistiken/raum-umwelt/bodennutzung-bedeckung/gesamtspektrum-regionalen-stufen/gemeinden.html) (in German). Federal Statistical Office. Retrieved 13 January 2019. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HDS_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HDS_2-1) "Greppen" in [German](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/d/D619.php), [French](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F619.php) and [Italian](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I619.php) in the online *[Historical Dictionary of Switzerland](/source/Historical_Dictionary_of_Switzerland)*. 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-4) [***f***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-5) [***g***](#cite_ref-SFSO_3-6) [Swiss Federal Statistical Office](http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20160105172441/http://www.bfs.admin.ch/bfs/portal/en/index/regionen/02/key.html) 2016-01-05 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) accessed 20-Aug-2009 1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-LUSTAT_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-LUSTAT_4-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-LUSTAT_4-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-LUSTAT_4-3) [***e***](#cite_ref-LUSTAT_4-4) [LUSTAT Lucerne Cantonal Statistics](http://www.lustat.ch/index/daten_online/gemeinden/gd_0003/gemeinde_uebersicht.htm) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20111127191523/http://www.lustat.ch/index/daten_online/gemeinden/gd_0003/gemeinde_uebersicht.htm) 2011-11-27 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) (in German) accessed 12 August 2009 1. **[^](#cite_ref-Stat2020_LU_5-0)** ["Ständige und nichtständige Wohnbevölkerung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, Geburtsort und Staatsangehörigkeit"](https://www.pxweb.bfs.admin.ch/pxweb/de/px-x-0102020000_201). *bfs.admin.ch* (in German). Swiss Federal Statistical Office - STAT-TAB. 31 December 2020. Retrieved 21 September 2021. - J. Muheim-Büeler, J. Studhalter: *Greppen*. 1997. ## External links - [Official Website of the municipality of Greppen (in German)](http://www.greppen.ch) - "Greppen" in [German](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/d/D619.php), [French](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/f/F619.php) and [Italian](http://www.hls-dhs-dss.ch/textes/i/I619.php) in the online *[Historical Dictionary of Switzerland](/source/Historical_Dictionary_of_Switzerland)*. - ["Fusion" Project Website (in German)](https://web.archive.org/web/20060525160445/http://www.seegemeinden.ch/) Greppen Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Greppen](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Greppen). v t e Municipalities in Lucerne District, Switzerland Adligenswil Buchrain Dierikon Ebikon Gisikon Greppen Horw Kriens Lucerne Malters Meggen Meierskappel Root Schwarzenberg Udligenswil Vitznau Weggis Canton of Lucerne Districts of Canton Lucerne Municipalities of Canton Lucerne Authority control databases International VIAF GND WorldCat Other Historical Dictionary of Switzerland --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Greppen](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greppen) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greppen?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.