Moudon
Origin of the name Moudon
The Roman name is "Minnodunum" or "Minnidunum"; the Celtic suffix "-dunum" denotes a fortified place. In the Middle Ages the forms "Meldun" (around 1000, 1154, 1180), "Moudon" (1161, popular form) and "Meldunum" or "Mildunum" (1167) appear. The old German name is "Milden".
Founding of Moudon
Moudon was first an important Roman vicus, listed in the Antonine Itinerary, known for a cemetery, inscriptions and a 3rd-century votive altar. The medieval town grew from a castle (castrum) built around 1127-1132 by Count Amadeus I of Geneva. Around 1190 the dukes of Zähringen seized it, then Savoy took control around 1207 under Thomas I, a possession confirmed by the Treaty of Burier in 1219. The town was enlarged several times in the 13th century, and its liberties, set down in 1285, served as a model for the other towns of Vaud.
History of Moudon
3rd century. Roman vicus of Minnodunum, with a cemetery, inscriptions and a votive altar; it is listed in the Antonine Itinerary.
around 1000. The name appears in the form "Meldun".
around 1127-1132. Count Amadeus I of Geneva has a castle built.
around 1190. The dukes of Zähringen seize Moudon.
around 1207. Thomas I of Savoy takes control of the town.
1219. The Treaty of Burier confirms Savoy's possession.
13th century. The town is enlarged several times.
1285. The liberties of Moudon are set down, serving as a model for the other towns of Vaud.
around 1300. The town has about 300 hearths (households).
late 13th-early 14th century. The church of Saint-Étienne is rebuilt.
1536. Bernese conquest; Moudon loses its role as administrative capital but becomes the seat of a bailiwick.
1550. The town has 239 hearths (households).
1764. The town has 1'475 inhabitants.
1850. The town has 2'443 inhabitants.
1900. The town has 2'683 inhabitants.
2000. The town has 4'371 inhabitants.
2006. Moudon joins the new district of Broye-Vully.
2010. The town has 4'828 inhabitants.
Population of Moudon
| 1550 | 239 hearths (households) |
| 1764 | 1'475 |
| 1798 | 1'512 |
| 1850 | 2'443 |
| 1900 | 2'683 |
| 1950 | 2'476 |
| 2000 | 4'371 |
| 2010 | 4'828 |
| 2025 | 6'847 |
Historic sites in Moudon
Church of Saint-Étienne. Rebuilt in the late 13th and early 14th centuries, it is one of the main Gothic buildings in the canton.
Upper town (Bourg). The Bourg district on the hill recalls the Savoyard town enlarged in the 13th century.
Tour de Broye. Medieval tower associated with the Zähringen capture of Moudon around 1190 (attribution to be cross-checked).
Remains in Moudon
Roman vicus of Minnodunum. A cemetery, inscriptions and a 3rd-century votive altar bear witness to the Roman settlement listed in the Antonine Itinerary.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Moudon (commune) »
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vaud »
- Statistique Vaud, « Population résidante permanente au 31 décembre 2025 »
Other villages near Moudon
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