Athenaz
Origin of the name Athenaz
Athenaz is named in 1260. A heritage study also gives the forms « Attenaz » or « Atinaz ». The Genevan cadastral plans of 1728-1730 write « Attena », the French cadastre of 1815 « Attenaz ». What the name means is not yet known.[1][2]
Founding of Athenaz
Neither the date nor the circumstances of the founding of Athenaz are known. The village appears in 1260, when Count Amadeus II of Genève grants the priory of Saint-Victor the enjoyment of seigneurial rights in the villages and parishes of the Champagne, including Avusy, Athenaz and Sézegnin, reserving only high justice for himself. Attached to the canton of Genève by the Treaty of Turin of 1816, the territory forms the municipality of Avusy, which comprises the villages of Avusy, Athenaz and Sézegnin. The locality grew along its roads, with modest development. Today it is a hamlet of local importance in the municipality of Avusy.[1][2]
History of Athenaz
1260. Count Amadeus II of Genève grants the priory of Saint-Victor the enjoyment of seigneurial rights in the villages of the Champagne, including Athenaz, reserving only high justice.[1][2]
1728-1730. The Genevan cadastral plans name the « chemin tandant d'Attena a Avusy » and the « chemin tandant des Attena a Sezegnin ».[2]
1815. The French cadastre mentions the « chemin d'Attenaz ».[2]
1816. The Treaty of Turin attaches Avusy to the canton of Genève. The municipality formed that year comprises the villages of Avusy, Athenaz and Sézegnin.[1][2]
1822. Date carved on the pillar of a triple-basin limestone fountain in the village.[2]
1869. Date on a converted farm building in the village.[2]
Historic sites in Athenaz
Athenaz school. Free-standing building at the entrance to the village.[2]
Wayside cross. One of the few hard-stone wayside crosses in the canton.[2]
Fountain of 1822. Triple-basin limestone fountain, dated 1822 on the pillar.[2]
Fire pump shed. Building from the second half of the 19th century.[2]
Auberge de la Champagne. Group of village buildings that includes the inn.[2]
Remains in Athenaz
Vanished fortified house. A heritage study notes the possible site of a fortified house that has since disappeared.[2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Avusy » (Catherine Santschi), version du 08.09.2009
- Anita Frei, « Avusy, histoire et patrimoine. Étude pour le plan directeur communal », mars 2003
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Athenaz »
Other villages near Athenaz
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