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Coat of arms of Arbaz

Arbaz

Canton of Valais · District: Sion · 1'474 inhabitants (31.12.2025, provisional FSO figure)
View of Arbaz
Photo: Werner Friedli, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons · Coat of arms: Public domain
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Arbaz

The place appears around 1185 as « Alba », then « Arba » in 1338. What the name means is not yet known.[1]

Founding of Arbaz

Arbaz was not founded as a municipality: it began as a village of the community of Ayent. From the 14th century it formed, with Luc and Botyre, one of the three « thirds » of Ayent. Under Bishop Edward of Savoy it was sold to the episcopal mensa. The third later became autonomous, but Arbaz only became a separate municipality in 1877. The village lies at 1145 m, on a territory rising from 830 to 2886 m.[1]

History of Arbaz

around 1185. Mentioned in the form « Alba ».[1]

14th century. Arbaz forms, with Luc and Botyre, one of the three « thirds » of Ayent.[1]

1338. Mentioned in the form « Arba ».[1]

1375-1386. Under the episcopate of Edward of Savoy, Arbaz is sold to the episcopal mensa.[1]

1418. By this date at the latest, the third of Arbaz is autonomous.[1]

1663. A chapel is attested at Arbaz.[1]

1798. End of subjection to the episcopal mensa.[1]

1815-1839. Arbaz belongs to the dizain of Hérens, before returning to the dizain of Sion.[1]

1860. End of religious dependence on Ayent.[1]

1877. Arbaz separates from Ayent and becomes a municipality, without obtaining the hamlet of Blignou.[1]

1910. A small slate quarry is in operation. Livestock, cereals and vineyards: the primary sector employs 85 % of the working population.[1]

1924. The village is partly destroyed by fire.[1]

Population of Arbaz

Sources and references: [1][2]

Population of Arbaz
1821361
1900516
1950493
1980472
2000800
20251'474

Historic sites in Arbaz

Village of Arbaz. Village at 1145 m, partly destroyed by fire in 1924.[1]

Chapel of Arbaz. A chapel is attested at Arbaz from 1663.[1]

Mayens d'Arbaz. Area of mayens where second homes are developing today.[1]

Blignou. Hamlet that Arbaz failed to obtain when it separated from Ayent in 1877.[1]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Arbaz » (Danielle Allet-Zwissig, version du 06.10.2011)
  2. Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
  3. geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)

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