Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
Origin of the name Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
The castle appears in 1052 as « castellum Psallionis ». The Bayart tower takes its name from the noble de Bayart family, who owned the land and whose property later passed to the de Saillon-Pontverre. The word « bayart » often means a watchtower, but at Saillon the name comes from this family. It is also spelt « tour Bayard ».[1][2][3]
Founding of Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
Saillon castle stands on the rocky spur that carries the medieval town. In the 11th century the place already had a castle, owned by the cathedral chapter and then by the lords of Saillon. Thomas of Savoy bought it with its dependencies in the early 13th century. Under Peter II of Savoy, who wanted to rival Sion, the castle was strengthened, walled and given a large tower on the curtain wall, the Bayart tower. Destroyed in 1475, it was never rebuilt. The keep and three towers remain.[1][2]
History of Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
1052. The castle is recorded as « castellum Psallionis ». It belongs to the cathedral chapter, then to the lords of Saillon.[1]
early 13th century. Thomas of Savoy buys the castle and its dependencies.[2]
1257. Now held by Savoy, the castle is strengthened. The northern curtain wall dates from 1257-1258, as the surviving building accounts show.[1][2]
1261-1262. Construction of the Bayart tower on the curtain wall. Pierre Meinier, who directs Savoy's military works in Vaud, Chablais and Valais, builds it on the advice of the Gascon Jean de Masot. It rises 70 feet above the walls and costs 180 livres of Saint-Maurice money.[1][2]
1354. A bailiff gives the castellans of Saillon and other castles instructions on the fire signals used to call for help.[2]
1384. The Patriots set fire to the castle for the first time.[2]
1475. The Upper Valais forces destroy the castle, which is never rebuilt.[1][2]
Late 19th century. The work of Albert Naef leads to the consolidation of the ramparts.[2]
Historic sites in Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
Bayart tower. Large tower of the curtain wall, also called the « great keep », built in 1261-1262, which dominates the town and the Rhône plain. It is listed in the inventory of cultural property together with the town's fortifications.[1][2][3]
Town walls. Savoyard curtain wall whose northern part dates from 1257-1258. The medieval fortifications surrounding the town are protected as cultural property.[2][3]
Remains in Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
Castle ruins. Remains of the keep and three towers of the castle destroyed in 1475. The Bayart tower and the curtain wall have survived thanks to restorations.[1][2]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Saillon (commune) » (Benjamin Roduit, version de 2009 remaniée le 29.05.2012)
- André Donnet, Saillon, bourg médiéval, Trésors de mon pays, 47, Neuchâtel, Éditions du Griffon, 1950 (via RERO DOC)
- Commune de Saillon, « Biens culturels »
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées de la tour Bayart)
Other villages near Tour Bayart et château de Saillon
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