Nax
Origin of the name Nax
The village is recorded in the 11th century, between 1001 and 1100, as « Nas ». No explanation has yet been found for this name.[1]
Founding of Nax
Nax grew up on a promontory at 1'302 m above sea level, at the entrance to the Val d'Hérens, around an old place of worship: a Carolingian chapel (8th-9th century) preceded the parish church dedicated to Saint Maurice, consecrated in 1034, which served Nax and Vernamiège. From the early 13th to the late 18th century Nax formed an episcopal mayoralty together with Vernamiège. From 1366 the community belonged to the dizain of Sion, and in 1687 rights of co-citizenship were agreed with the plain municipality of Grône. Incorporated in 1798 into the new district of Hérémence, which became the district of Hérens in 1815, Nax saw a population decline in the 20th century, partly offset by a diversified tourist offer. The village is now in the municipality of Mont-Noble (merger of 1 January 2011).[1]
History of Nax
8th-9th century. A Carolingian chapel precedes the parish church.[1]
1001-1100. Mentioned as « Nas ».[1]
1034. Consecration of the parish church dedicated to Saint Maurice, with a polygonal choir and bell tower, serving Nax and Vernamiège.[1]
before 1052. The parish is reportedly named in a document.
13th century. From the start of the century Nax forms an episcopal mayoralty with Vernamiège, until the late 18th century.[1]
1298. A charter reportedly records a dispute between Nax and Bramois over a forest.
1304. First mention of representatives of the community; the date is uncertain.
1366. Nax belongs to the dizain of Sion.[1]
around 1640. Construction of a Baroque church.[1]
1687. Rights of co-citizenship are agreed with the plain municipality of Grône.[1]
1695. Consecration of the Baroque church.[1]
1798. Nax is incorporated into the new district of Hérémence.[1]
1815. The district of Hérémence becomes the district of Hérens.[1]
1837. A fire is said to have destroyed the village, the church being the only building spared.
1872-1874. Enlargement and alteration of the church.[1]
1909. On 10 January the church vault collapses during a ceremony. The toll is reported as 31 dead and some fifty injured, figures that are uncertain.
1915. Vernamiège leaves the parish of Nax.[1]
2008. On 7 September the citizens reportedly approved the merger with Mase and Vernamiège.
2011. On 1 January Nax merges with Mase and Vernamiège to form the municipality of Mont-Noble.[1][3]
Population of Nax
Sources and references: [1]
| 1850 | 361 |
| 1900 | 483 |
| 1950 | 516 |
| 2000 | 383 |
Historic sites in Nax
Church of Saint-Maurice. Preceded by a Carolingian chapel, the parish church dedicated to Saint Maurice was consecrated in 1034, with a polygonal choir and bell tower. A Baroque church was built around 1640 and consecrated in 1695, then enlarged and altered in 1872-1874. On 10 January 1909 its vault collapsed during a ceremony, reportedly leaving 31 dead and some fifty injured.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Nax » (Pierre Carruzzo, version du 23.12.2016)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
- Etat du Valais, Service des affaires intérieures et communales (SAIC), « Rapport sur les finances communales 2008 » (février 2010), tableau des fusions de communes en Valais depuis 2000
Other villages near Nax
Missing information, or do you have a source? Suggest a correction or addition. Every submission is checked before it's published.
Suggest a change