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Granges

Canton of Valais · District: Sierre · 1'326 inhabitants (1970, former municipality of Granges, last figure before the merger)
Part of the municipality of Sierre
Origin of the name Founding Historical timeline Population over time Must-see historical sites Remains Sources and references Nearby villages

Origin of the name Granges

In German the village is called « Gradetsch ». The meaning of the name has not been established.[1]

Founding of Granges

Granges lies on the left bank of the Rhône, west of Sierre. Neolithic graves show a very early presence. The counts of Granges, recorded from the 10th century onwards, were behind the castle and the fortified village. In the Middle Ages three monumental towers dominated the village and controlled the road through the Rhône plain. The community had to maintain this road between the bridge over the Lienne and the Marcon torrent, a difficult task because of the river's repeated floods. Granges was then the centre of a castellany that included Grône, Lens and Saint-Léonard. Cattle, cereals and vines supported its inhabitants. In the 20th century the village became a residential place halfway between Sierre and Sion. A former municipality, Granges is now part of the municipality of Sierre (merger of 1972).[1][2]

History of Granges

Neolithic. Graves attest to the occupation of the area.[1]

10th century. First mentions of the counts of Granges, to whom the castle and fortified village go back.[1]

1153. A Benedictine priory is mentioned at Granges. It first belongs to the abbey of Ainay, in Lyon.[1]

1173. The lordship passes by marriage to the de Corbières family. They are followed by the Albi, the Montjovet, the de la Tour-Morestel, the d'Anniviers, the Tavel and the Rovéréa.[1]

1226. The castellany, until then part of the Holy Roman Empire, passes to the bishop of Sion.[1]

1379. The priory is attached to that of Ayent.[1]

Raron wars. The parish church of Saint-Étienne is destroyed. Services are then held in the priory church, dedicated to Saint James.[1]

1603. Marguerite de Rovéréa sells the castle and the lordship to the burghers of Sion. From then on Granges and Bramois share a castellan and a vice-castellan.[1]

1620. The priory is sold to the cathedral chapter of Sion.[1]

after 1798. The castellany is divided into four municipalities. Granges joins the dizain, then the district of Sierre.[1]

1863. Work begins on embanking the Rhône, at the same time as the railway line is built. Farming in the plain can intensify.[1]

1891-1910. The present church is built, probably on the site of the old priory church.[1]

1972. Granges merges with Sierre and ceases to be a municipality.[1][2]

Population of Granges

Sources and references: [1]

Population of Granges
1850275 inhabitants
1900437 inhabitants
1950951 inhabitants
19701'326 inhabitants

Historic sites in Granges

Parish church. Built from 1891 to 1910, it probably stands on the old priory church of Saint-Jacques, where services had been held since the church of Saint-Étienne was destroyed during the Raron wars.[1]

Remains in Granges

Neolithic graves. Neolithic burials have been found in the territory of the former municipality.[1]

Sources

  1. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse (version allemande), « Granges (VS) » (Bernard Monnet, version du 17.07.2007)
  2. Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Sierre (commune) » (François Wiblé, David Rey, version du 02.05.2013)
  3. geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)

Other villages near Granges

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