Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
Origin of the name Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
The suburb of Saint-Victor owes its name to the church and priory of Saint-Victor, dedicated to Saint Victor of the Theban Legion. The suburb of Saint-Léger bears the name of the parish of Saint-Léger, whose origin is not explained.[1]
Founding of Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
The suburbs of Saint-Victor and Saint-Léger lay outside the walls of Genève, on land that is now part of the municipality of Genève. A Burgundian princess founded the church of Saint-Victor under the city walls at the end of the 5th century. It was entrusted to Cluny around the year 1000. In the 11th century a parish formed around the priory and became the centre of a large suburb. The parish of Saint-Léger seems to have been created later, along the road linking the Arve bridge to the city. To deprive the duke of Savoy of a foothold in case of siege, Genève razed these suburbs from 1531 and built fortifications in their place.[1][2]
History of Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
Late 5th century. A Burgundian princess founds the church of Saint-Victor under the walls of Genève, dedicated to Saint Victor of the Theban Legion. The founder is said to be Queen Sédeleube.[1][2]
Early 7th century. Saint-Victor is granted extensive privileges.[2]
Around 1000. The church becomes a conventual house and is entrusted to the abbey of Cluny by Bishop Hugues of Genève.[1][2]
11th century. A parish forms around the priory of Saint-Victor, which becomes the centre of a large suburb. The parish of Saint-Léger seems to have been created later, along the road to the Arve bridge.[2]
14th century. From the second half of the century (or only from the mid-15th century) the prior is often a commendatory prior who does not live at the priory.[1]
1514-1519. François Bonivard is prior of Saint-Victor, while Duke Charles II of Savoy seeks to take Genève.[2][5]
1530. The city wants to demolish Saint-Victor, which the duke could use in a siege.[1]
1531. The city begins to raze its suburbs; Saint-Victor is partly demolished.[1][2]
1534. Complete demolition of the priory of Saint-Victor. Some monks take refuge in Savoy, at Reignier.[1]
1534-1543. The suburb of Saint-Léger is razed as a defensive military measure. The Saint-Léger gate is closed.[3]
1536. At the Reformation the parishes of Saint-Victor and Saint-Léger disappear. Genève builds fortifications on the site of the suburb of Saint-Victor.[1][3]
1573. The priory's revenues are assigned to a commandery of the Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.[1]
1798. The municipality of Plainpalais is formed, under French rule, from the suburbs of Palais, Saint-Léger and Saint-Victor.[3]
1863. Construction of the Russian church is said to have begun on the site of the former church of Saint-Victor.
1931. The municipality of Plainpalais is joined to Genève.[2][3]
Historic sites in Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
Site of the church of Saint-Victor. The priory and its suburb lay on the Tranchées plateau, where the Russian church is said to have been built from 1863 on the site of the church of Saint-Victor.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Victor » (Lucienne Hubler)
- 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, « Plainpalais » (Dominique Zumkeller)
- Office fédéral de topographie swisstopo, geo.admin.ch, adresse « Rue Rodolphe-Toepffer 9, 1206 Genève » (emplacement approximatif)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bonivard, François » (Micheline Tripet), version du 21.01.2008
Other villages near Faubourgs de Saint-Léger et Saint-Victor
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change