Map - Erlach, Switzerland (Erlach)

Erlach (Cerlier) is the capital municipality of the Seeland administrative district in the canton of Berne in Switzerland.

The nearby Jolimont hills, a 4 km long range of hills, have been nearly constantly inhabited for thousands of years. In 1847, three grave mounds from the Middle Bronze Age were excavated. The graves dated to the mid 2nd millennium BC and contained numerous grave goods and weapons. Other graves have been discovered from the Hallstatt era, around 500 BC. A Roman road runs along the southern foot of the hills, between Lake Biel and the town of Petinesca (now Studen).

Erlach is first mentioned in 1185 as Erilacho and in 1274 as Cellie. In French it is called Cerlier. In 1264/66 Erlach received a Handfeste or document of rights from Count Rudolf II of Neuchâtel-Nidau. The village of Sunkort's church was built and consecrated in the 11th century. Around 1100 the Benedictine Erlach Abbey was founded on Saint Peter's Island (actually a peninsula). During the 14th century, the city walls were built. The only remaining city gate, currently part of the Rathaus or town hall, is from this era. Towers were added to the walls in the 15th century. In 1455 the citizens of Erlach founded a hospital. Based on the rights granted by Rudolf II, Erlach had a mayor and until 1798 a 12-member town council with a 6–18 member advisory body.

Portions of Erlach Castle were built in the Middle Ages, but the western main tower was built around 1500. In 1848, during the foundation of the Federal State, Erlach Castle became the district seat. However, thirty years later in 1874, it became a school.

Erlach became a market town in 1367, when it was granted the right to hold a weekly market along with two yearly fairs. During the 19th century the number of yearly fairs increased to four. The town's economy was diverse and included agriculture, vineyards on the sunny south-facing hill sides, fishing and transportation on Lake Biel. During the 19th century, the watch industry provided many jobs.

The Jura water correction projects of 1874–82 and 1962–72 lowered the water level in the lake and expanded Erlach's shoreline.