Aminona
Origin of the name Aminona
The name also appears in that of the nearby place called L'Aminona. Its meaning is unknown.[7]
Founding of Aminona
Aminona is a resort built on an almost untouched site of the former municipality of Mollens, enhanced by the neighbouring resort of Crans-Montana. Architect André Gaillard (1921-2010), born in La Chaux-de-Fonds, began building it in 1962. His plan provided for 23 twelve-storey towers of Tibetan inspiration, but only three towers were built. Since the 2017 merger, Aminona has been part of the municipality of Crans-Montana.[1][2][5]
History of Aminona
1962. André Gaillard begins building the resort.[2]
1963-1973. Plans for the lower station of the gondola lift: a three-level building with a first-aid room, a waiting room and a refreshment bar, the station itself on the top floor.[3]
1969. A gondola lift runs up to Mont Bonvin.[2]
1970-1971. The Gaillard office builds the Chalet Schaub, known as Bellayuva.[2]
1973. The oil crisis ends the 23-tower project. Three concrete towers, framed by smaller buildings, are completed.[2]
1975-1976. Studies for the first stage of the west wing, between towers A and B: three residential levels served by an inner street and four parking levels.[4]
1997. Aminona, Crans-sur-Sierre and Montana-Vermala start joint tourist promotion.[1]
2014. The Mont Bonvin gondola lift is dismantled.[2]
2017. On 1 January, Mollens, to which Aminona belongs, merges with Chermignon, Montana and Randogne to form the municipality of Crans-Montana.[1][5]
Historic sites in Aminona
The three towers. The only parts built of André Gaillard's plan for 23 twelve-storey towers, halted in 1973. They are made of concrete and framed by smaller buildings.[2]
Lower gondola station. Three-level building designed between 1963 and 1973: first-aid room at the bottom, waiting room with refreshment bar in the middle, station at the top. The first studies foresaw a large complex with a restaurant.[3]
Chalet Schaub. Chalet known as Bellayuva, built in 1970-1971 by André Gaillard's office.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Montana » (Hugues Rey, version du 12.01.2017)
- Crans-Montana Life (magazine), Sylvie Doriot Galofaro, « André Gaillard (1921-2010) à Aminona. Des tours et des chalets », pages 107-108
- EPFL, Archives de la construction moderne, dossier 0143.04.0107 « Télécabines Aminona, gare inférieure »
- EPFL, Archives de la construction moderne, dossier 0143.04.0118 « Aminona 1ère étape (aile ouest), à Mollens »
- Crans-Montana Tourisme & Congrès, « Historique »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Aminona)
Other villages near Aminona
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