Bister
Origin of the name Bister
Mentioned in 1374 as « Bystur », then in 1480 as « Bistar ». In 1684 « in monte Bister » refers to the whole mountain. After Bedle separated and was attached to Grengiols, Bister became the main settlement and gave its name to the mountain. The etymology remains unexplained.[1]
Founding of Bister
Bister, a small municipality in the Östlich Raron district, grew out of a landscape of isolated farmsteads on the slope of the Rhône valley. Traces of a La Tène period settlement have been found there. The village has always belonged to the parish of Mörel. With Filet (Gyfris) it formed a quarter of the Östlich Raron dizain, and the two communities received joint communal statutes in 1442. Bister shared forests, alpine pastures and meadows with Mörel and Filet, partly until the final fixing of boundaries in 1818. In the 19th century the village was hit hard by emigration to America. Since the mid-20th century its inhabitants have gradually moved to municipalities lower down.[1]
History of Bister
La Tène period. A settlement occupies the site. Traces of it have been found.[1]
1374. First mention as « Bystur ».[1]
1442. Bister and Filet receive joint communal statutes.[1]
1480. The name appears as « Bistar ».[1]
1651. Construction of the chapel of Our Lady.[1]
1684. « in monte Bister » refers to the whole mountain.[1]
1699. Construction of the communal house.[1]
18th-19th century. The dual citizenship rights shared with Filet are gradually restricted and abolished.[1]
1818. Final fixing of the boundaries with Mörel and Filet, with which Bister shared forests, alpine pastures and meadows.[1]
1856. 25 people emigrate to America.[1]
Mid-20th century. Inhabitants begin moving to municipalities lower down.[1]
1990. Of 10 working residents, 4 still work in Bister, all in the primary sector.[1]
Population of Bister
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1850 | 118 inhabitants |
| 1900 | 110 inhabitants |
| 1941 | 91 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 72 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 33 inhabitants |
| 2025 | 39 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Bister
Chapel of Our Lady. Built in 1651; Bister has always belonged to the parish of Mörel.[1]
Communal house. It dates from 1699.[1]
Remains in Bister
La Tène settlement traces. Traces of a La Tène period settlement have been found at Bister.[1]
Sources
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Bister » (Philipp Kalbermatter, version du 04.05.2017, version allemande)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bister » (Philipp Kalbermatter, version du 04.05.2017)
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Bister
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