With 8,239 inhabitants (31.12.2019) Murten is one of the larger communities in the canton of Fribourg.
Inhabitants
The population of Murten was 2645 in 1900. After that, it temporarily decreased, only to rise steadily since then. The largest population growth rates were recorded between 1950 and 1970 and after the development of new residential zones in the 1990s. Today, the settlement area of Murten has grown together with those of the neighbouring communities of Meyriez and Muntelier without any gaps. In addition, a small part of the commercial area of Murten belongs to the commune of Courgevaux. The municipalities of Courlevon, Jeuss, Lurtigen, Salvenach and Murten merged on 1 January 2016.
Languages
Of the residents, 83% are German-speaking, 15% French-speaking and 0.5% speak Italian (31.12.2019). Murten, which lies on the language border, is thus bilingual, although the German language clearly predominates (unlike in the cantonal capital of Fribourg). French was still the main language spoken in the town in the 15th century. Afterwards, however, German increasingly prevailed and gained the upper hand by the end of the 17th century at the latest.
Rathausgasse 17
3280 Murten
+41 26 670 62 00
