Montana
Origin of the name Montana
The name appears in 1243 as « Montana ». Its etymology has not yet been explained.[1]
Founding of Montana
When Montana was founded is not known. On the right bank of the Rhône, the former municipality included the village of Montana, Corin in the vineyards, part of Champzabé, the hamlet of Diogne and the resort of Montana-Vermala (1'500 m), shared with Randogne. In the Middle Ages the village belonged to the castellany of Granges, and the Hospitaller commandery of Salquenen and several noble families held rights there. In the 14th century Montana was one of the quarters of the Contrée de Lens, in the dizain of Sierre. Its economy rested on livestock farming and alpine pastures until the rise of tourism.[1][2]
History of Montana
1243. First mention as « Montana ».[1]
Middle Ages. Montana belongs to the castellany of Granges. The Hospitaller commandery of Salquenen and several noble families hold rights there.[1]
14th century. Montana is one of the quarters of the Contrée de Lens, in the dizain of Sierre.[1]
1488. A confraternity of the Holy Spirit is recorded.[1]
1516. Mention of the chapel of Saint-Grat.[1]
1531. Local statutes reportedly organise the village and its common property.
1851. The quarters are united in the municipality of Lens but keep their property.[1]
1855. Montana begins to demand its autonomy.[1]
1863. Montana becomes a parish.[1]
1892. Louis Antille and Michel Zufferey open the Hôtel du Parc, around which Montana-Vermala develops.[1]
1901. Théodore Stephani builds a sanatorium that makes the place famous.[1]
1905. Montana becomes a municipality.[1]
1911. A funicular links Montana-Vermala with Sierre.[1]
1924-1925. Construction of the Sacré-Cœur church.[1]
1928. Montana-Vermala becomes a parish.[1]
1935-1939. The former chapel of Saint-Grat is rebuilt as the parish church.[1]
1987. The resort, converted to winter sports after cures declined in the late 1950s, hosts the world ski championships.[1]
1997. Crans-sur-Sierre, Montana-Vermala and Aminona are promoted jointly.[1]
2002. Opening of the Crans-Montana casino.[1]
2017. On 1 January Montana merges with Chermignon, Mollens and Randogne to form the municipality of Crans-Montana.[1][2]
Population of Montana
Sources and references: [1]
| 1687 | 151 inhabitants |
| 1798 | 240 inhabitants |
| 1850 | 303 inhabitants |
| 1910 | 547 inhabitants |
| 1950 | 1'715 inhabitants |
| 2000 | 2'305 inhabitants |
Historic sites in Montana
Church of Saint-Grat. Former chapel of Saint-Grat, mentioned in 1516, rebuilt in 1935-1939 as the church of the parish of Montana, created in 1863.[1]
Montana-Vermala. Resort that grew around the Hôtel du Parc, opened in 1892, and Théodore Stephani's sanatorium (1901), linked to Sierre by funicular in 1911 and later converted to winter sports. It is shared with the former municipality of Randogne.[1]
Sacré-Cœur church. Church built in 1924-1925 in Montana-Vermala, seat of a parish from 1928.[1]
Corin and Diogne. Corin, in the vineyards, and the hamlet of Diogne were part of the former municipality. Each reportedly has a chapel.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Montana » (Hugues Rey, version du 12.01.2017)
- Etat du Valais, Service de l'agriculture, Office de viticulture, « Secteurs d'encépagement de la commune de Crans-Montana » (16.05.2018) (fusion au 1er janvier 2017)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Montana
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