La Bâtiaz
Origin of the name La Bâtiaz
Then a mere cluster of houses on the way to the castle, the place is mentioned in 1368 as « bastida ». The name is linked to « bastide ».[1][3]
Founding of La Bâtiaz
La Bâtiaz grew up at the foot of a rock overlooking the Dranse, where the Val d'Entremont opens into the Rhône valley. A tower stands there, probably on the site of a small Roman watchtower. The bishop of Sion Landri de Mont built the first fortifications there in the early 13th century. This estate, which reached into Savoyard territory, was a constant source of conflict for the bishop. In the early 19th century La Bâtiaz was part of the large commune of Martigny. It separated in 1845 to form a political municipality, then about a century later asked to be reunited with Martigny-Ville, which took effect in 1956. La Bâtiaz is today a quarter of the municipality of Martigny.[1][2][5]
History of La Bâtiaz
Early 13th century. The bishop of Sion Landri de Mont has the first fortifications built.[1][5]
1233. Amédée de Rarogne is named as the bishop's castellan there, an attribution others consider uncertain.[3][4]
1259-1260. Count Peter II of Savoy besieges the castle, seat of bishop Henri de Rarogne, and takes it in January 1260.[3][5]
Around 1260. Peter II of Savoy has a round keep built, completed by bishop Pierre d'Oron in 1281.[1]
1349. Mention of a toll bridge, in connection with dyke works on the Dranse.
1368. First mention of the place in the form « bastida ».[1]
1475. After the Savoyard defeat at the Planta (13 November), the Upper Valais forces take possession of the castle and devastate it. Bishop Jost von Silenen has it rebuilt.[1][3][5]
1518. Georges Supersaxo, in conflict with Cardinal Matthäus Schiner, seizes the castle in January, occupies it for a few months and then sets it on fire in June. It is never rebuilt.[1][5]
1535. On 24 November the burghers of Martigny acknowledge that the castle and its dependencies are the property of the bishop.[3][5]
1595. After the flood, a church is built at La Bâtiaz.[1][2]
1625-1630. Construction of the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Compassion, which replaces this church. Another chronology dates its foundation to 1617, by the Reverend Claude Semblanet.[1][5]
1736-1748. Rebuilding and enlargement of the chapel of la Compassion, often hit by floods of the Dranse.[1][5]
1818. On 16 June the watchmen posted in the tower raise the alarm. The flood of the Dranse, caused by the bursting of the dam formed by the Giétro glacier, destroys the wooden bridge.[1][3]
1829. The bridge is rebuilt, covered and with larch arches. It is strengthened in 1920 and given footways in 1948.[1]
1845. On 27 November La Bâtiaz separates and becomes an independent municipality.[1][2][5]
1956. Merger of La Bâtiaz with Martigny-Ville.[1][2]
Population of La Bâtiaz
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 403 |
| 1900 | 425 |
| 1950 | 565 |
Historic sites in La Bâtiaz
Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Compassion. Pilgrimage chapel built in 1625-1630 in place of a church erected after the flood of 1595, enlarged in the 18th century.[1][2]
Covered bridge of La Bâtiaz. Wooden bridge rebuilt in 1829 after the flood of 1818, with larch arches.[1]
Remains in La Bâtiaz
La Bâtiaz Castle. Ruins of the episcopal castle on its rock above the Dranse, with the large round keep built around 1260 under Peter II of Savoy and completed in 1281. Burnt in 1518, it was never rebuilt.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Bâtiaz, La » (Frédéric Giroud, version du 02.05.2002, lu en allemand)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Martigny (commune) » (Albano Hugon, version de 2007 remaniée le 13.08.2021)
- Jos. Morand, « Le château de la Bâtiaz », Petites Annales valaisannes, 1931 (via RERO DOC)
- Louis Blondel, « Le vieux château de la Crête de Martigny ou de Saint-Jean », Vallesia, 5, 1950 (via RERO DOC)
- Patrimoines de Martigny, « Chronologie » (d'après Jean-Michel Gard, 1983)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées du quartier La Bâtiaz)
Other villages near La Bâtiaz
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