Saint-Martin
Origin of the name Saint-Martin
The village appears in 1228 as "Sanctus Martinus". Saint Martin is also the patron of the parish, and his statue stands in the church.[1][3]
Founding of Saint-Martin
The site has been occupied since the Bronze Age. In the Middle Ages Saint-Martin belonged to the lords of Oron, Rue and Illens, and its parish, also called Saint-Martin-de-Vaud, extended over the neighbouring villages of Porsel, Bouloz, Le Crêt, Grattavache, Progens and Pont. Lignite mines worked in the 19th century were reopened during both world wars, and in the 1990s the village became mainly residential while keeping its farming and crafts. The municipality comprised the village and the hamlet of Le Jordil. Since 2004 it has also included Besencens and Fiaugères. Its arms combine the yellow half eagle on black of the lordship of Oron with the half eagle in reversed colours of the Veveyse district.[1][3][5][6][7][8][9]
History of Saint-Martin
1228. Saint-Martin is mentioned as "Sanctus Martinus".[1]
1536. During the conquest of Vaud, Fribourg acquires a first part of the place.[1]
1555. After the bankruptcy of Count Michel of Gruyère, Fribourg completes the acquisition. Saint-Martin is placed in the bailiwick of Rue.[1]
1641. Porsel and Bouloz leave the parish of Saint-Martin to form their own parish. Le Crêt follows in 1665 or 1670, Progens in 1888 and Pont in 1958.[5][6][7][8]
1716. A school is recorded in Saint-Martin.[1]
1848. Saint-Martin, until then in the prefecture of Rue, passes to the Veveyse district.[1]
1859. The church of Saint-Martin is rebuilt.[1]
1949. A chapel is built at Le Jordil.[1]
2003. On 12 September the Grand Council approves the merger of Besencens, Fiaugères and Saint-Martin, agreed in a convention of 11 June. The decree keeps the name Saint-Martin and grants merger aid of 462'131 francs.[2]
2004. On 1 January the new municipality of Saint-Martin comes into being, at the same time as La Verrerie and Le Flon. Besencens and Fiaugères become place names, and the Veveyse district goes from 15 to 9 municipalities.[2][4]
2024. On 8 June Saint-Martin celebrates 20 years of its merger in the presence of State Councillor Didier Castella.[4]
Population of Saint-Martin
Sources and references: [1][10]
| 1811 | 272 |
| 1850 | 435 |
| 1900 | 442 |
| 1950 | 434 |
| 2000 | 505 |
| 2025 | 1'059 |
Historic sites in Saint-Martin
Church of Saint-Martin. Rebuilt in 1859 in the Gothic Revival style, the three-aisled church holds a statue of Saint Martin, patron of the parish.[1][3]
Le Jordil chapel. Built in 1949 in the hamlet of Le Jordil, the chapel is dedicated to Saint Nicholas of Flüe.[1][3]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saint-Martin (FR) » (Jean-Claude Vial, version du 27.09.2016)
- Grand Conseil du canton de Fribourg, décret du 12 septembre 2003 relatif à la fusion des communes de Besencens, Fiaugères et Saint-Martin (ROF 2003_117, version allemande)
- Commune de Saint-Martin (FR), « Présentation de la commune »
- État de Fribourg, allocution de Didier Castella, conseiller d'État, pour les 20 ans de la fusion de Saint-Martin (8 juin 2024)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Porsel » (Jean-Claude Vial, version du 07.05.2010)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Crêt, Le » (Jean-Claude Vial, version du 11.05.2005)
- Dizionario storico della Svizzera, « Progens » (Jean-Claude Vial, version du 12.04.2012, texte italien)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Pont (Veveyse) » (Lucienne Hubler, version du 16.02.2010)
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Grattavache » (Jean-Claude Vial, version du 17.07.2007)
- 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
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Saint-Martin
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