Aproz
Origin of the name Aproz
Around 1050, an estate granted in fief by the Chapter of Sion already included four meadows at Aproz. The origin of the village's name remains obscure.[2]
Founding of Aproz
Aproz is a village of the municipality of Nendaz, on the bank of the Rhône. Its formation is not dated, but the area of Baar and Aproz was already inhabited in Roman times. The village is a crossing point of the river towards Conthey, where people from Nendaz owned vineyards: a bridge stood here in the Middle Ages, then a ferry replaced it for more than three hundred years. In the 20th century a power station and the bottling of the mineral springs were added.[1][2][3]
History of Aproz
Roman period. Seduni and Veragri live side by side in the area of Baar and Aproz. A map by Walser still bears the note « Hic olim Veragri » at this spot in 1768.[2]
Around 1050. The Chapter of Sion grants in fief an estate including three fields at Baar and four meadows at Aproz.[2]
1348. Destroyed during a war between Count Amadeus V and Bishop Boniface de Challant, the bridge over the Rhône is rebuilt by Rodolphe de Blonay, castellan of Conthey. Bishop Guichard Tavelli, who has to pay for the work, complains about the price to Amadeus VI, and an inquiry finds in his favour.[2]
1369-1370. Vétroz, Conthey and Nendaz dispute the upkeep of the bridge. An arbitration ruling of 1370 splits the costs equally between Nendaz and Conthey, which pay 20 florins each. Vétroz is released.[2]
1371. On 17 and 18 March the notary Jean de Montous draws up the agreement. The arrangement holds under Savoy, but disputes resume after the conquest of 1475.[2]
1417. People from Aproz seize cattle belonging to people of Sion grazing on pastures with poorly defined boundaries. On 5 November the Count of Savoy orders inquiries to establish who owns them.[2]
After 1475. Under the Patriots the bridge reportedly fell into ruin. A ferry replaces it and serves for more than three hundred years. A rope maker from Haute-Nendaz makes its rope.[2][3]
1869. At the time of the major Rhône embankment works (1860s and 1870s), an iron bridge is built at Aproz. It eases links with the right bank.[1]
1908. An agreement is signed to tap the waters of the lower Printse to supply the Aproz power station.[1]
1947. The Aproz springs begin to be exploited. The company Aproz Sources Minérales SA is founded the same year.[1][4]
1958. The Migros cooperative takes over the bottling plant.[1]
Historic sites in Aproz
Aproz mineral springs. Exploited since 1947, they supply the company Aproz Sources Minérales SA, described as the largest mineral water bottler in Switzerland.[1][4]
Pra-Bardi arena. Every year in May, cows of the Hérens breed fight here. The arena hosts the national final of the queen fights.[4]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Nendaz » (Pierre Carruzzo), version du 02.11.2010
- Lucien Lathion, « Nendaz au moyen âge », communication à l'assemblée de la Société d'histoire du Valais romand, Nendaz, 24 mai 1931, via RERO DOC
- Rose-Claire Schüle, « Nendards et Contheysans (Patois et tradition) », communication à l'assemblée de la Société d'histoire du Valais romand, Châteauneuf, 20 juin 1965, via RERO DOC
- Nendaz Tourisme, « Aproz »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (Aproz)
Other villages near Aproz
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