Glis
Origin of the name Glis
The village is first mentioned in 1230 in the form «Glisa». The name probably derives from the Latin «ecclesia» (church).[1][2]
Founding of Glis
Glis is a former municipality of the Brig district, now part of the municipality of Brig-Glis (merger of 1972). It also included Holz and Gamsen. The place of worship is very old: an early Christian single-nave church with a baptistery and annexes stood here around 500. In the Middle Ages, Glis, Holz and Gamsen formed a third of the «Gumper» (compra) of Brig, in the Brig Zenden. Although it belonged to the parish of Naters until 1642, Glis had its own religious life from the 12th and 13th centuries, centred on its church of Our Lady, which in the 14th century became the pilgrimage centre of Upper Valais.[1]
History of Glis
around 500. An early Christian single-nave church with a baptistery and annexes stands at Glis.[1]
12th-13th centuries. Although it belongs to the parish of Naters, Glis already has an independent religious life.[1]
1230. First mention of the village, in the form «Glisa».[1]
around 1320. The Wickert quarter becomes a castellany of the cathedral chapter of Sion.[1]
14th century. The church of Our Lady on the Glisacker becomes the pilgrimage goal of Upper Valais.[1]
1519-1521. Ulrich Ruffiner draws up the plans for the new church in 1519, then builds the north entrance, the «Golden Gate», and the side chapels.[1][2]
1596. An iron mine opens in the Grund area. It passes to Kaspar Stockalper vom Thurm in 1636.[1]
1642. On 1 September the church becomes a parish church and Glis an independent parish, separated from Naters. Brig, Brigerbad, Ried-Brig, Termen, Gamsen and Eggerberg belong to it.[1][2]
mid-17th century. The master builders Peter and Christian Bodmer, from Prismell, complete the church to Ruffiner's plans (contract of 1653, portal of 1655-1656, completion around 1668). It combines Renaissance elements with late Gothic forms.[1][2]
1696. Consecration of the parish church.[2]
1755. An earthquake damages the church, which is repaired in 1757.[2]
1894. Founding of the explosives factory at Gamsen, within the municipality.[1]
after 1945. The farming village becomes a residential area for workers employed mainly in Brig.[1]
1967-1970. Restoration of the church, whose tower regains its Romanesque appearance in 1968.[2]
1972. Glis merges with Brig and Brigerbad to form Brig-Glis. It brings building land reserves and the explosives factory.[1]
1984. Excavations in the church uncover the early Christian church and parts of four other churches.[1]
Population of Glis
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 633 |
| 1900 | 1'093 |
| 1950 | 1'879 |
| 1970 | 3'389 |
Historic sites in Glis
Pilgrimage church of Our Lady (Glisacker). Parish and pilgrimage church, completed in the mid-17th century by Peter and Christian Bodmer to plans by Ulrich Ruffiner and consecrated in 1696. It keeps a Romanesque tower, Ruffiner's «Golden Gate» (around 1519-1521), a Gothic choir and side chapels, a three-aisled nave and two Baroque side altars of 1650 by Giorgio Bernardi of Domodossola.[1][2][3]
Remains in Glis
Early Christian church. Uncovered in 1984 beneath the present church: a single-nave church of around 500, with a baptistery and annexes. The excavations also revealed parts of four other churches.[1]
Sources
- Historisches Lexikon der Schweiz, « Glis » (Bernard Truffer, version du 17.07.2013)
- Die Kunstdenkmäler des Kantons Wallis, Bezirk Brig, extrait « Glis (Gemeinde Brig-Glis) », mis en ligne par Pro Historia Glis
- Brig Simplon Tourismus (brig-simplon.ch), « Pilgrimage Church Glis »
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Glis
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