Vex
Origin of the name Vex
The village appears as « Ves » from the 11th to the 13th century, then « Vex » in 1302. The old German name is « Vesch ». Its origin is uncertain. One hypothesis sees in it the Latin personal name Vasius, « estate of Vasius », but it is not confirmed.[1]
Founding of Vex
The territory of Vex was settled from the Middle Neolithic, then in the Early Bronze Age and in Roman times. The village probably belonged to the Bramois estate, which Sigismund is said to have given to the abbey of Saint-Maurice. It later came under the authority of the cathedral chapter of Sion, which had it administered by a major until the end of the Ancien Régime. Feudal families are recorded there, including the de la Tour and the Tavelli, who owned a castle. The parish has existed since the 11th century. First part of the dizain of Sion, then of the district of Hérémence, Vex later belonged to the dizain and then district of Hérens, of which it is the capital. The municipality comprises the village, the hamlets of Les Prasses and Ypresses and the resorts of Les Collons and Thyon.[1]
History of Vex
Prehistory. Remains from the Middle Neolithic and the Early Bronze Age.[1]
Roman period. Roman remains on the municipal territory.[1]
515. The Bramois estate, to which Vex probably belonged, is said to have been given by Sigismund to the abbey of Saint-Maurice.[1]
11th century. The parish exists; mentions as « Ves » from the 11th to the 13th century.[1]
around 1100. Vex comes under the authority of the cathedral chapter of Sion, which has it administered by a major until 1798.[1]
13th century. Octagonal tower of the Tavelli castle, the only remnant of that castle.[1]
1302. Mentioned as « Vex ».[1]
14th century. Vex is part of the dizain of Sion.[1]
1438. Hérémence separates from the parish of Vex.[1]
1453. First mention of the great bisse of Vex, which encourages cereal growing.[1]
16th century. Probable construction, in the village, of the chapel of Saints Anthony and Blaise, preferred to the church of Saint-Sylve, considered too remote.[1]
1798. End of the chapter's authority. Vex is attached to the district of Hérémence.[1]
1815. Vex is attached to the dizain of Hérens, of which it is the capital.[1]
1862. A road links the municipality with the plain.[1]
1870. Construction of a new church, replaced in 1962.[1][3]
1950s. Start of the Les Collons resort.[1]
1965. Les Agettes separates from the parish of Vex.[1]
1970s. Development of the Thyon resort.[1]
Population of Vex
Sources and references: [1][4]
| 1850 | 798 |
| 1900 | 957 |
| 1950 | 855 |
| 2000 | 1'311 |
| 2025 | 1'970 |
Historic sites in Vex
Old church of Saint-Sylve. Church with a Romanesque nave, probably from the late 11th century, abandoned because it was considered too far from the village. Its apse was replaced in the last quarter of the 15th century by a square choir. The building was reportedly renovated in 1988.[1][2]
Chapel of Saints Anthony and Blaise. Chapel probably built in the 16th century in the village, preferred to the old church of Saint-Sylve.[1]
Parish church. A new church was built in 1870, then replaced in 1962 by the present building, designed by the architect André Perraudin.[1][3]
Great bisse of Vex. Irrigation channel recorded in 1453, one of the bisses that encouraged cereal growing in the municipality.[1]
Les Collons and Thyon. Winter sports resorts opened from the 1950s (Les Collons) and since the 1970s (Thyon).[1]
Remains in Vex
Tavelli tower. Octagonal 13th-century tower, the only remnant of the castle of the Tavelli family. Its octagonal plan is very rare. It was reportedly restored in 1996-1997.
Prehistoric and Roman remains. Remains from the Middle Neolithic, the Early Bronze Age and the Roman period have been found on the municipal territory.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vex » (Catherine Raemy-Berthod, version du 03.01.2015)
- Commune de Vex, patrimoine-vex.ch, « L'ancienne église Saint-Sylve »
- Commune de Vex, patrimoine-vex.ch, « Nouvelle église St-Sylve »
- Office fédéral de la statistique (OFS), STATPOP, chiffres provisoires au 31.12.2025, via citypopulation.de
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Localities of the municipality with a page
Other villages near Vex
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