Steinhaus
Origin of the name Steinhaus
The village is mentioned in 1436 as « zem Steinhus ». The name is linked to a fortified tower said to have stood there, remembered in the place name « uff em Turre ». An older mention from 1245, in the Latin form « Domus lapidea », is also reported.
Founding of Steinhaus
Steinhaus is a small village on the left bank of the Rhône in the lower Goms valley, built between the Rufibach and the Löüwibach along the old valley road. Four hamlets, now abandoned, belonged to it: Hofstette, Rufine, Rufibord and Richelsmatt. Until the end of the Ancien Régime the village belonged to the Ernen quarter in the lower Goms and to the large parish of Ernen, which also provided religious services. A rectorate set up in the second half of the 18th century was short-lived. The community adopted statutes in 1417 and then, in 1530, joint statutes with Richelsmatt, which governed citizenship rights and the use of common land and were revised several times. At the beginning of the 21st century the village had only one full-time farmer, and about ten residents worked elsewhere, mostly in the secondary and tertiary sectors. A former municipality, Steinhaus has been part of the municipality of Ernen, together with Ausserbinn and Mühlebach, since 1 October 2004.
History of Steinhaus
1245. The place is reportedly mentioned in the Latin form « Domus lapidea ».
1361. In the autumn, local people reportedly seized the Bishop of Sion, Guichard Tavel, near Steinhaus and held him for eleven weeks.
1417. The community adopts statutes.
1436. First mention as « zem Steinhus ».
1530. Joint statutes with Richelsmatt, governing citizenship rights and the use of common land.
1728-1729. Altar of the chapel of the Holy Family, probably by the sculptor Johann Joseph Bodmer of Mühlebach.
1768. A fire reportedly destroys twelve buildings.
18th century. In the second half of the century a rectorate is set up, but it is short-lived.
1987-1988. A tunnel at the Löüwibach reportedly makes the village accessible in winter.
2004. On 1 October the municipality of Steinhaus is dissolved and joined, with Ausserbinn and Mühlebach, to the municipality of Ernen.[2]
Population of Steinhaus
| 1829 | 79 |
| 1850 | 97 |
| 1900 | 86 |
| 1950 | 87 |
| 2000 | 33 |
Historic sites in Steinhaus
Chapel of the Holy Family. The village chapel is dedicated to the Holy Family. Its altar of 1728-1729 is probably the work of the sculptor Johann Joseph Bodmer of Mühlebach.
Former community house. Building reportedly dating from 1794.
Village square. Square with a fountain, reportedly lined with old houses.
Remains in Steinhaus
Abandoned hamlets. Hofstette, Rufine, Rufibord and Richelsmatt, four hamlets that belonged to Steinhaus, are now abandoned. Richelsmatt shared the statutes of 1530 with Steinhaus. Richelsmatt is said to have been uninhabited since 1830.
« Uff em Turre ». The place name recalls a fortified tower that is said to have given the village its name.
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Steinhaus » (Bernard Truffer, trad. Annelise Rigo, version du 04.01.2017 ; résumé lu)
- Office fédéral de la statistique, Répertoire officiel des communes, mutation n° 2303 (01.10.2004)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Steinhaus
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