Cointrin
Origin of the name Cointrin
The name appears in 1215 as « Cuintrins », then « Quintrino » in 1225, « Quintrinsex » in 1299 and « Cuytrins » in 1392. What the name means is not yet known.[1]
Founding of Cointrin
The site was inhabited early: a cemetery was used here from the 1st to the 6th century. In the Middle Ages the hamlet formed a small lordship, which the Duke of Savoy granted in 1528 to the Genevan Jean Lect together with Mategnin. Its lands belonged to the Pays de Gex until the Treaty of Paris assigned them to the canton of Genève. Part of the municipality of Meyrin, Cointrin also extends over Vernier, Le Grand-Saconnex and Bellevue. The airfield laid out in 1920 turned the hamlet into the airport district. Who founded Cointrin is not known.[1]
History of Cointrin
1st-6th century. A cemetery is in use at Cointrin.[1]
1215. First mention, in the form « Cuintrins ».[1]
1528. The Duke of Savoy makes the Genevan Jean Lect lord of Mategnin and Cointrin.[1]
1547. The Livron family, nobles of the Pays de Gex, succeed him, with rights of high justice.[1]
1815. The Treaty of Paris assigns to the canton of Genève the lands of Cointrin, which had belonged to the Pays de Gex.[1]
1920. Cointrin is chosen for an airfield, Genève being the seat of the League of Nations. A credit of 675'000 francs allows the purchase of about 57.5 ha in Meyrin, and the Federal Air Office authorises operation of the aerodrome in September.[1]
1937. A first concrete runway is built.[1]
1943. The cemetery is discovered when a hill in Meyrin is levelled to enlarge the airport.[1]
1945. Cointrin is the only airport from which Swissair can operate regular commercial flights.[1]
1949. A terminal goes into service and soon becomes too small.[1]
1956. An agreement with France confirms a border adjustment over 5 km, with an exchange of 42 ha of land allowing the runway to be extended.[1]
1968. A new building replaces the terminal. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) sets up its headquarters at Cointrin.[1]
1981. The Palexpo exhibition centre opens.[1]
1987. A rail link connects Cointrin with Genève station.[1]
1988. A new cargo hall is inaugurated.[1]
1994. The airport becomes an autonomous public-law institution.[1]
Historic sites in Cointrin
Genève Airport. Airfield chosen in 1920, first concrete runway in 1937, 1949 terminal replaced in 1968 by a new building. An autonomous public-law institution since 1994.[1]
Palexpo and Arena. Palexpo exhibition centre (1981) and the Arena multi-purpose hall (1995).[1]
Business centres. World Trade Center (1979), International Business Center (1985) and International Center Cointrin (1990), with four hotels totalling 1'150 rooms built from 1977 to 1990.[1]
Remains in Cointrin
Cointrin cemetery. Cemetery used between the 1st and 6th centuries, discovered in 1943 when a hill in Meyrin was levelled to enlarge the airport.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Cointrin » (Catherine Santschi), version du 02.08.2005
- geo.admin.ch (swisstopo), recherche de lieux « Cointrin »
Other villages near Cointrin
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