Magnedens
Origin of the name Magnedens
The village is recorded in 1156 as « Manoldens », then « Magnoudeins » in 1229 and « Mannudens » in 1238. The old German name is « Magnedingen ». The name is said to mean « among the descendants of Maginold ».[1][2]
Founding of Magnedens
Magnedens lies on the left bank of the Sarine, 10 km south-west of Fribourg. In 1143 the place belonged to the lordship of Arconciel. The Knights Hospitaller of St John of Jerusalem had a commandery here in the 12th century, and the neighbouring abbey of Hauterive also held property here. Without a church, the village long depended on the parish of Ecuvillens. It has kept its rural character despite the nearby A12 motorway. Magnedens is now part of the municipality of Gibloux (merger of 2016), having formed the municipality of Corpataux-Magnedens with Corpataux from 1999.[1][2]
History of Magnedens
1143. The place belongs to the lordship of Arconciel.[1]
1156. The village appears as « Manoldens ». The Knights Hospitaller probably found their commandery here that year, recorded in any case before 1173.[1][2]
1229. Recorded as « Magnoudeins », Magnedens sees its commandery attached to that of Fribourg.[1][2]
1475. Bern and Fribourg seize Arconciel.[1]
1484. Magnedens is assigned to the bailiwick of Illens.[1]
1798-1847. The municipality belongs to the district of Fribourg.[1]
1848. Magnedens passes to the district of Sarine.[1][2]
1907. Together with Corpataux, the village breaks away from Ecuvillens and forms a parish, recognised by order of the Council of State. The foundation stone of the parish church had been blessed in 1905.[1][3]
1913. The electric omnibus line from Fribourg is extended to Magnedens.[4]
1920-1930. Several Bernese families settle in the village.[2]
1954. Magnedens and Corpataux join forces for drinking water and sewers.[1]
1962. The two municipalities also cooperate on schooling.[1]
1998. On 29 December the assemblies of Corpataux and Magnedens each accept the merger agreement.[2]
1999. On 1 January Corpataux-Magnedens begins operating with a council of seven members, two of them from Magnedens. The Grand Council ratifies the merger by decree on 2 February.[2][5]
2016. Corpataux-Magnedens joins the new municipality of Gibloux.[1][2]
Population of Magnedens
Sources and references: [1]
| 1811 | 82 |
| 1850 | 85 |
| 1900 | 101 |
| 1950 | 105 |
| 1990 | 90 (about 80 % French speakers and 17 % German speakers) |
Remains in Magnedens
La Taillat burial mound. A tumulus, or burial mound, is recorded at the place called La Taillat.[1]
Hospitaller commandery. Probably founded in 1156, and before 1173 at the latest, the commandery of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem was merged with that of Fribourg in 1229. A very small lake lay nearby.[1][2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Magnedens » (Eveline Seewer, version de 2007 remaniée le 22.02.2017)
- Commune de Gibloux, « Corpataux-Magnedens »
- Paroisse de Corpataux-Magnedens, « Paroisse »
- Magalie Goumaz, « En 1912, un omnibus électrique pour assurer la liaison entre Fribourg et Farvagny est inauguré », La Liberté, 25.07.2025 (copie TPF)
- État de Fribourg, « Liste chronologique des fusions, divisions et changements de nom des communes » (RSF 141.1.2), législation fribourgeoise
Other villages near Magnedens
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