Bourg-de-Four
Origin of the name Bourg-de-Four
The name is said to recall the square's role as a Roman forum, to which the word « four » would refer. No dated old form of the name is known.
Founding of Bourg-de-Four
The Place du Bourg-de-Four lies in the Old Town of Genève, in the municipality of Genève. It occupies the site of the Gallo-Roman forum and served as the market square in the Middle Ages. The counts of Genève owned a castle above the Bourg-de-Four, which the count of Savoy seized in 1250. In 1375 Bishop Guillaume de Marcossey had a new town wall built that now enclosed the square. The Poor Clares settled there in 1476. After the Reformation their buildings housed the Hôpital général, replaced by a new hospital (1707-1712) which became the law courts in 1857.[1][2]
History of Bourg-de-Four
Gallo-Roman period. The site of the future square is that of the Gallo-Roman forum.[2]
Middle Ages. The market is held on the square. The counts of Genève own a castle above the Bourg-de-Four.[1][2]
1250. The count of Savoy seizes the castle of the Bourg-de-Four as a pledge.[1]
1375. Bishop Guillaume de Marcossey has a new town wall built, funded by extraordinary taxes, which encloses the Bourg-de-Four and will bear his name.[1]
1476. The Poor Clares settle at the Bourg-de-Four.[1]
16th century. After the Reformation, the buildings of the Poor Clares house the Hôpital général.[1]
1707-1712. Construction of a new hospital at the Bourg-de-Four.[1]
1766. Completion of the Lutheran church, built from 1762 at the northern end of the square, on the site of the former château de Coudrée, bought in ruins for the Lutheran community.[3]
1857. The hospital becomes the law courts (palais de justice).[1]
Historic sites in Bourg-de-Four
Palais de justice. Former hospital built from 1707 to 1712, law courts since 1857.[1]
Lutheran church. Church built between 1762 and 1766 at the northern end of the square, on the site of the château de Coudrée.[3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Genève (commune) » (Martine Piguet, Jean Terrier, Charles Bonnet, Liliane Mottu-Weber, Irène Herrmann, Charles Heimberg)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Places » (Hans Jörg Rieger)
- Office du patrimoine et des sites, Service d'archéologie, Philippe Ruffieux (avec Gionata Consagra), « Genève cité, rue Verdaine 20, église protestante luthérienne », rapport d'intervention Gv 071-02 (2020)
- Office fédéral de topographie swisstopo, geo.admin.ch, adresse « Place du Bourg-de-Four 1, 1204 Genève »
Other villages near Bourg-de-Four
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