Corsinge
Origin of the name Corsinge
The name appears as « Corsingium » in 1307 and 1373, and « Cursingium » in 1316. It is reportedly of Germanic, more precisely Burgundian, formation: it would go back to an original « Grûsingum », « at the Grûsingi », from the personal name Gruso, its initial G having become C.[3][7]
Founding of Corsinge
In the early 14th century, vassals of the Counts of Genève built a castle here. In the 17th century Corsinge was a Savoyard enclave in the mandement of Jussy, over which Genève held sovereignty. Three houses of the village then belonged to Genève, which in 1666 sparked the Corsinge affair between Genève and Savoy. Who founded Corsinge, now a hamlet of the municipality of Meinier, is not known.[1][2]
History of Corsinge
Early 14th century. Vassals of the Counts of Genève build the castle of Corsinge.[2]
1307. Oldest dated form of the name: « Corsingium ».[7]
1590. The castle that served as seat of the lordship of Corsinge is destroyed.[3][6]
1666. A Savoyard priest brings the viaticum to one of the three Genevan houses in the village. Genève sees this as a breach of its sovereignty and sends armed men to Corsinge.[1]
1666. The Savoyard ambassador complains to the Confederates. Bern and Zurich agree to mediate, while both sides arm themselves.
1668. In spring, under pressure from the Zurich and Bernese envoys, Genève sends a delegation to Turin. Under pressure from the French ambassador it gives up its sovereignty over Corsinge, but Savoy never ratifies the treaty.[1]
1678. A fortified house is built for the Adda family. It becomes the seat of the lordship of Corsinge, on foundations that may be older. The date and the arms of the Adda (or Dadda) family are carved above the entrance door.[3][6]
1882. After a fire, the west part of the fortified house is rebuilt, with a new roof, three levels of windows and a tower lowered to first-floor height.[6]
1956. On 20 March the Council of State lists the fortified house as protected.[6]
Around 1960. The east part of the fortified house is restored.[6]
2010. On 15 September the Council of State adopts a site plan for the hamlet of Corsinge.[8]
Historic sites in Corsinge
Fortified house of Corsinge. Fortified house built in 1678 for the Adda family, seat of the lordship of Corsinge, at 19 route de Corsinge. It keeps its north corner tower pierced with loopholes. Inside are a monumental fireplace, frescoes from the former chapel, a groin-vaulted hall and a wide staircase. The cellars hold two deep wells.[3][6]
The hamlet. A single-row street village whose former farm buildings have mostly become homes. Only one farm is still worked, where the route de Compois meets the route de Corsinge. The hamlet has been protected by a site plan since 2010.[8][9]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Corsinge, affaire de » (Barbara Braun-Bucher)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Meinier » (Jean Terrier)
- Commune de Meinier, « Histoire & Armoiries »
- Office cantonal de la statistique (OCSTAT), Mémento statistique du canton de Genève 2026, tableau Population résidante par commune, en 2025
- geo.admin.ch, service de recherche de swisstopo (Corsinge, Meinier, coordonnées)
- Office du patrimoine et des sites (Genève), Recensement architectural du canton de Genève, fiche 2009-19305 « Maison forte d'Adda à Corsinge »
- État de Genève, Noms géographiques du canton de Genève, « Route de Corsinge »
- État de Genève, « Plan de site - Hameau de Corsinge (Meinier) », plan n° 29541-525
- Commune de Meinier, « Projet de modification des limites de zones (création d'une zone de hameaux) et projet de plan de site n° 29541-525 », exposé des motifs
Other villages near Corsinge
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