Biel (VS)
Origin of the name Biel (VS)
The form « Buele » is recorded in 1277. The etymology of the name remains unexplained.[1][2]
Founding of Biel (VS)
Biel, in the Goms valley, is the historic centre of the Grafschaft (« county »). From 1344 this name covers the territory of Biel, Ritzingen, Selkingen and Gluringen, from the Walibach near Selkingen to the Reckingerbach. After 1224 the counts of Mörel held the village as an episcopal fief. The county's name may come from them. In 1237 Boso de Granges, bishop of Sion and last descendant of the counts of Granges (or of Gradetsch), brought the territory into the bishop's possessions by a donation. Marquard, knight of Mörel, declared the people of Biel free allodial holders. Until 1799 the county had its own free court, with high justice, and belonged to the upper dizain of Goms.[1][2][3]
History of Biel (VS)
1224. After this date the counts of Mörel hold Biel as an episcopal fief.[1][2]
1237. Donation of Boso de Granges, bishop of Sion: the territory of the future Grafschaft passes into the bishop's possessions.[3]
1277. The name appears for the first time, as « Buele ». Marquard, knight of Mörel, declares the people of Biel free allodial holders, in 1277 (or 1227).[1][2]
1322. A chapel and a rectorate are recorded in Biel.[1]
1344. First written mention of the Grafschaft, comprising Biel, Ritzingen, Selkingen and Gluringen.[1][2][3]
1367. First recorded ammann of the county, elected by the people and confirmed by the bishop.[1][2]
1678. Biel separates from the parish of Münster and becomes a parish. Gluringen, Selkingen and Ritzingen are attached to it.[1][2]
1799. End of the free court of the Grafschaft.[1][2][3]
1827. An avalanche destroys almost half of the village.[1]
1915. A Furka-Oberalp railway halt opens.[1]
1920. Gluringen becomes an independent parish.[1][2]
1955. Biel has 13 full-time farms.[1]
1958. Merger of the burgher alpine pastures of Biel and Ritzingen.[1][2]
1970s. Growth of cross-country skiing and hiking tourism in the Goms valley.[1]
1990. Only 2 full-time farms remain.[1]
2000. Biel forms the municipality of Grafschaft with Ritzingen and Selkingen.[1]
2017. Grafschaft is joined with Blitzingen, Münster-Geschinen, Niederwald and Reckingen-Gluringen in the municipality of Goms.[1][3]
Population of Biel (VS)
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 124 |
| 1900 | 94 |
| 1950 | 101 |
| 1990 | 58 |
Historic sites in Biel (VS)
Parish church of Biel. Biel has had a chapel and a rectorate since 1322. A parish from 1678, after separating from Münster, the village is the religious centre of the Grafschaft: Selkingen and Ritzingen belong to it, as did Gluringen until 1920.[1]
Chapel of Our Lady on the Ritzingerfeld. Pilgrimage chapel outside the village of Ritzingen, regarded as the heart of the Grafschaft of Biel: the county elected its ammann in front of it. The present building dates from the first half of the 17th century.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Biel (VS) » (Alma Treyer, version du 13.01.2017)
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Biel (VS) » (Alma Treyer, version du 13.01.2017, version allemande)
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Grafschaft » (Bernard Truffer, version du 13.01.2017, version allemande)
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Ritzingen » (Robert Walpen, version du 13.01.2017, version allemande)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Biel (VS)
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