Illens
Origin of the name Illens
Illens appears in writing between 1138 and 1143, in a donation by Turumbertus d'Ecuvillens to the abbey of Hauterive. In German it was called Illingen. The name itself has no established explanation.[1][4]
Founding of Illens
Illens was first a fortress. Its walls stand above a rock face in a bend of the Sarine, opposite the vanished citadel of Arconciel, and each of the two strongholds guarded one approach to the ford. Illens belonged to the lordship of Arconciel. The fortress's farm estate, the Granges d'Illens, some 140 ha with a special legal status, later became a municipality home to three families at most. Illens is today in the municipality of Gibloux (merger of 2016), having joined Rossens in 1972.[1][3]
History of Illens
1138-1143. Illens is mentioned for the first time.[4]
Around 1150-1276. Several legal deeds are signed at Illens.[1]
1251. Ulrich, lord of Arconciel and Aarberg, holds the castle for the House of Savoy.[4]
1292. The Fribourg avoyer Nicolas d'Englisberg buys Illens and Arconciel.[4]
1324. Bern and Fribourg storm the fortresses of Illens and Arconciel.[4]
Around 1366. Peter von Aarberg, known for his violence, still occupies the fortress from time to time.[1][4]
1441. The Romanesque chapel of Saint-Nicolas is mentioned.[1]
After 1470. Guillaume de La Baume, chamberlain of Charles the Bold, builds a comfortable palace with fireplaces and sanitary facilities (or from 1455, according to another tradition).[1][4]
1475. On 3 January (or 2 January) Bernese and Fribourg troops attack the castle before it is finished.[1][4]
1476. After the Burgundian Wars, Fribourg buys the territory. Illens forms a bailiwick with Magnedens, Ecuvillens, Corpataux and Treyvaux, whose first bailiff is Pierre Morsel.[1][4]
1798. The Helvetic Republic abolishes the bailiwick, which had seen 76 bailiffs.[4]
1845. The Granges d'Illens become an independent municipality.[1][4]
1876. Illens forms a parish with Rossens in 1876 (or 1875). It previously depended on Farvagny.[1][2]
1885. The municipality is administered together with Rossens.[1]
1903. Trappist monks from Laval settle in the castle, roughly roofed and enlarged, and make « Port-du-Salut » cheese there.[1][4]
1915. While stables are being built, the foundations of the chapel of Saint-Nicolas are found.[1]
1972. Illens is joined to the municipality of Rossens, following a decree of 4 May 1972.[1][5]
2016. Together with Rossens, Illens joins the new municipality of Gibloux.[1]
Population of Illens
Sources and references: [1][4]
| 1850 | 29 |
| 1900 | 16 |
| 1930 | 7 |
| 1950 | 15 |
| 1970 | 11 |
Historic sites in Illens
Castle ruins. The ruins stand in woodland at the edge of a rock face above a bend of the Sarine, opposite the site of Arconciel.[1][3]
Remains in Illens
Chapel of Saint-Nicolas. A Romanesque chapel recorded in 1441. Its foundations were found in 1915 when stables were being built.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Illens » (François Guex, version du 29.09.2016, édition italienne)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Rossens (FR) » (Marianne Rolle, version du 29.09.2016, édition italienne)
- Commune de Gibloux, « Rossens »
- Manuel Greca, « Rossens : une commune de la Sarine en expansion ? », travail de maturité (avril 2011), d'après Robert Ayer, « Rossens et Illens à travers les âges » (2008), publié par la commune de Gibloux
- État de Fribourg, Recueil systématique (RSF 141.1.2), « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes »
Other villages near Illens
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