Haute-Nendaz
Origin of the name Haute-Nendaz
A charter of 985, known from a copy, places a field and a meadow « in villa quae dicitur Nenda superior », the upper village of Nendaz. The name of the municipality appears from 984 as « Nenda ».[1][2]
Founding of Haute-Nendaz
Haute-Nendaz is a village of the municipality of Nendaz. With Basse-Nendaz, it is the only village of the municipality named as early as the 10th century, the others appearing only in the 12th and 13th centuries. Its inhabitants went down to the church of Basse-Nendaz for Mass, but had a chapel of Saint-Michel. Tourism began with a development society in 1938, then with the first gondola lift and the first hotels at the end of the 1950s.[1][2][4][7]
History of Haute-Nendaz
985. Erembert, who receives a manse at Basse-Nendaz in fief from King Conrad of Burgundy, gives in exchange a field and a meadow he owns at Haute-Nendaz.[2]
Around 1250. Martin dol Castelar, of Haute-Nendaz, and his brothers pay the Chapter of Sion rent, menaides, tallage and plaid.[2]
1499. The Saint-Michel chapel is built, as recalled by a carved wooden panel visible in the nave.[4][5]
1500. Bishop Matthäus Schiner grants an indulgence for the chapel of Saints Michael and Maurice at Haute-Nendaz.[3]
1737. On 24 and 25 July the pastoral visitation issues orders for the Saint-Michel chapel.[3]
18th century. The chapel's present Baroque building reportedly dates from this period.[4][5]
1850-1860. Charles Frédéric Brun, known as le Déserteur, paints the biblical figures and the large Christ above the altar in the chapel. The chapel is renovated in 1856.[1][5]
1925. The first road for vehicles reaches Haute-Nendaz.[1]
1938. Haute-Nendaz sets up a development society.[1]
1943. The inhabitants decide to build their own church rather than go down to Basse-Nendaz for Mass. It takes them at least ten years to complete the project.[4][6]
1958. The first gondola lift is built, followed by the first hotels. The tourist venture begins.[7]
1960s. The Saint-Michel chapel almost disappears. The Historical Monuments Service of the canton of Valais and local residents save it.[4][5]
Historic sites in Haute-Nendaz
Saint-Michel chapel. Late 15th century chapel, rebuilt several times, decorated with paintings by Charles Frédéric Brun, known as le Déserteur.[1][5]
Church of Haute-Nendaz. Its stained-glass windows, Way of the Cross and large choir mural are the work of the Valais painter Paul Monier.[6]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Nendaz » (Pierre Carruzzo), version du 02.11.2010
- Lucien Lathion, « Nendaz au moyen âge », communication à l'assemblée de la Société d'histoire du Valais romand, Nendaz, 24 mai 1931, via RERO DOC
- François-Olivier Dubuis, « Saint-Léger de Nendaz : les sanctuaires antérieurs à l'église actuelle », via RERO DOC
- Nendaz Tourisme, « Haute-Nendaz village »
- Nendaz Tourisme, « St-Michel Chapel »
- Nendaz Tourisme, « The church of Haute-Nendaz »
- Nendaz Tourisme, « The resort of Haute-Nendaz »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (Nendaz)
Other villages near Haute-Nendaz
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