Berlens
Origin of the name Berlens
Berlens is recorded in 1157/1162 in its present form. In German it is Berlingen, and the meaning of the name remains obscure.[1]
Founding of Berlens
Berlens sits on a hill east of Romont. The village formed a lordship with a castle. Conon d'Estavayer gave Hauterive Abbey the fief of his man Philippe de Cottens, and the lordship passed from the d'Estavayer family to the Englisberg in the 16th century, to the von der Weid from 1592 to 1752, then to the Castella until 1830. The right of presentation to the parish first lay with the dukes of Savoy and the bishop of Lausanne. The village lives from livestock and fodder crops. Berlens is today part of the municipality of Mézières (merger of 2004).[1]
History of Berlens
1157/1162. Berlens is mentioned for the first time.[1]
1228. The parish of Berlens is recorded.[1]
12th-14th century. The church of Notre-Dame rises on Romanesque foundations and is rebuilt in the 14th century.[1][2]
1388. The Bernese besiege the castle.[1]
1536. Berlens joins the bailiwick of Romont. The right of presentation passes to the local lords.[1]
16th century. The lordship, first held by the d'Estavayer family, passes to the Englisberg.[1]
1592-1752. The von der Weid family holds the lordship.[1]
1639. The pilgrimage to Notre-Dame de l'Epine begins. It takes place on the first Sunday of September each year.[1][2]
Around 1661. After a fire in the village, the church is repaired.[1]
1798-1848. Berlens belongs to the Romont district.[1]
1830. The Castella lordship ends.[1]
1956. La Neirigue is attached to the parish of Berlens.[1]
1963. A new church is consecrated.[1]
1980. The painter Jean Bazaine adorns the chapel of Notre-Dame de l'Epine with stained glass.[2]
2004. Berlens merges with Mézières, under a decree of the Grand Council of 2 December 2003.[1][2][3]
Population of Berlens
Sources and references: [1]
| 1811 | 96 |
| 1850 | 131 |
| 1880 | 205 |
| 1900 | 171 |
| 1950 | 178 |
| 1980 | 125 |
| 2000 | 237 |
Historic sites in Berlens
Notre-Dame de l'Epine. The old church of Notre-Dame, on Romanesque foundations and rebuilt in the 14th century, has hosted the pilgrimage of Notre-Dame de l'Epine since 1639. Its windows are by Jean Bazaine (1980).[1][2]
New church. Consecrated in 1963.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Berlens » (Marianne Rolle, version du 26.09.2016)
- Commune de Mézières (FR), « Vivre à Mézières » (histoire)
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
Other villages near Berlens
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