Aarau, the capital of the Swiss canton of Aargau. In 1900
it had 7831 inhabitants, mostly German-speaking, and mainly
Protestants. It is situated in the valley of the Aar, on the
right bank of that river, and at the southern foot of the range
of the Jura. It is about 50 m. by rail N.E. of Bern, and 31
m. N.W. of Zurich. It is a well-built modern town, with
no remarkable features about it. In the Industrial Museum
there is (besides collections of various kinds) some good
painted glass of the 16th century, taken from the neighbouring
Benedictine monastery of Muri (founded 1027, suppressed
1841---the monks are now quartered at Gries, near Botzen, in
Tirol). The cantonal library contains many works relating to
Swiss history and many MSS. coming from the suppressed Argovian
monasteries. There are many industries in the town, especially
silk-ribbon weaving, foundries, and factories for the manufacture
of cutlery and scientific instruments. The popular novelist
and historian, Heinrich Zschokke (1771-1848), spent most of
his life here, and a bronze statue has been erected to his
memory. Aarau is an important military centre. The slopes
of the Jura are covered with vineyards. Aarau, an ancient
fortress, was taken by the Bernese in 1415, and in 1798 became
for a time the capital of the Helvetic republic. Eight miles
by rail N.E. are the famous sulphur baths of Schinznach,
just above which is the ruined castle of Habsburg, the
original home of that great historical house. (W. A. B. C.)
From Gutenberg Encyclopedia (1911).
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