Pierrafortscha
Origin of the name Pierrafortscha
The place is recorded in 1267 as « Pierraforchia », then in 1277 as « Bevrechie ». The name comes from the local patois and means the « forked stone », the commune's great erratic boulder. In German it was once called Perfetschied.[1][2]
Founding of Pierrafortscha
Pierrafortscha is a commune of scattered farms and estates between the Sarine and the Gérine, with the hamlets of Villars-sur-Marly, Granges-sur-Marly and La Schürra. In the Mesolithic, people stopped near the erratic boulder. In the 13th century the estate belonged to the Hattenberg and Zirkels (or Cirquilez) families, and the Cistercian convent of La Maigrauge kept land here until the 19th century. The great patrician families of Fribourg, the Boccard, Diesbach and Weck, later held their estates here. The commune has no church and belonged to the parish of Marly. In 2000, 28 % of the inhabitants were German speakers.[1][2]
History of Pierrafortscha
Mesolithic. A group of hunter-gatherers settles by the erratic boulder, which serves as a shelter.[1][2]
Early Middle Ages. A cemetery probably existed in the commune, judging by a belt plate found in 1995.[1]
1267. First mention, in the form « Pierraforchia ».[1]
1277. The place appears in the form « Bevrechie ».[1]
13th century. The estate is held by the Hattenberg and Zirkels families.[1]
1442. By this date at the latest, Pierrafortscha belongs to the Old Lands of Fribourg, in the banner of the Bourg.[1]
1798-1848. The area belongs to the district of Fribourg.[1]
1832. The commune is created.[1]
1995. An early medieval bronze belt plate is discovered.[1]
Population of Pierrafortscha
Sources and references: [1][3]
| 1811 | 146 |
| 1850 | 187 |
| 1900 | 185 |
| 1950 | 242 |
| 2000 | 136 |
| 2025 | 148 |
Historic sites in Pierrafortscha
The « forked stone » erratic boulder. A block of 330 m³ of Mont Blanc granite, carried from the Valais by the Rhône glacier during the last glaciation. It gave the commune its name.[1][2]
Patrician estates. Seven estates of patrician families, with their country houses, are spread across the commune.[1]
Chapels. The commune has six chapels, the oldest of which is deconsecrated, but no church.[1][2]
Remains in Pierrafortscha
Mesolithic settlement. Traces of a Mesolithic settlement have been identified near the erratic boulder.[1][2]
Belt plate. A bronze belt plate found in 1995. It points to a probable early medieval cemetery.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Pierrafortscha » (Marianne Rolle, version du 27.08.2009)
- Frapp (RadioFr.), Karin Baumgartner et Nathan Gendre, « On débarque chez vous: Pierrafortscha » (04.08.2026)
- Service de la statistique du canton de Fribourg (SStat), « Population des communes, de 1900 à 2025 » (T01-02-03), population résidante permanente au 31.12.2025
Other villages near Pierrafortscha
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