Vissoie
Origin of the name Vissoie
In 1250 the name is written « Vyssoy ». Its old German name is « Esso ». Other spellings are reported, though not with certainty: « Vissoy » (1268), « Vissohi » (1327), « Viessouy » (1710). The name may come from an old river name, built on a root meaning « to flow », and may first have designated the Moulins torrent. This explanation still needs confirming.[1]
Founding of Vissoie
No founder is known, but the site was inhabited early: objects from the Bronze Age and the Iron Age have been found here. Even before the 13th century Vissoie was the religious centre of the whole valley. Its parish, dedicated to Saint Euphemia, is mentioned in 1231. In the early 13th century the village was the centre of the vidomnat of Anniviers, held in fief from the bishop of Sion by the noble family of the same name. In 1235 the bishop had a new oval-plan borough built here, its houses forming the enclosure wall. Later the parishes of the valley broke away from Vissoie one by one: Saint-Luc, with Chandolin, in 1805, Ayer in 1930 and Grimentz in 1933. A former municipality of the district of Sierre, Vissoie has been part of the municipality of Anniviers since 1 January 2009.[1][2]
History of Vissoie
Bronze Age and Iron Age. Finds attest early occupation of the site.[1]
early 13th century. Vissoie is the centre of the vidomnat of Anniviers, held in fief from the bishop of Sion by a noble family of the same name.[1]
1231. Mention of the parish, dedicated to Saint Euphemia.[1]
1235. The bishop of Sion has a new oval borough built, whose houses form the enclosure.[1]
1381. The episcopal fief passes to the Rarogne family.[1]
1467. The fief returns to the episcopal mensa. Until 1798 it is run by a castellan who does not live on site.[1]
1565. The Val d'Anniviers becomes the third of the dizain of Sierre.[1]
1688. The chapel of Notre-Dame de la Compassion is built on the site of the castle.[1]
1798. Vissoie is merged with Grimentz.[1]
1805. The parish of Saint-Luc, with Chandolin, breaks away from that of Vissoie.[1]
1808-1809. Construction of the present church, whose tower is older.[1]
1814. Vissoie asks for separation from Grimentz.[1]
1820. The Council of State accepts the request on conditions that the municipality rejects.[1]
1824. The government divides Vissoie into two halves, allotted to Ayer and Grimentz.[1]
1863. First carriage road to the Rhône valley.[1]
1880. The wooden tower of the Ballios burns down.[1]
1897. The old burgher families call for the municipality to be restored.[1]
1904. The Council of State restores the municipality of Vissoie.[1]
1958. The waters of the Navisence are diverted for the Chippis aluminium works.[1]
1964. Opening of the Musée des patoisants, devoted to traditional housing.[1]
2009. On 1 January, Vissoie merges with Ayer, Chandolin, Grimentz, Saint-Jean and Saint-Luc into the municipality of Anniviers. Today it is a residential and holiday village.[1][2]
Population of Vissoie
Sources and references: [1]
| 1798 | 165 |
| 1910 | 309 |
| 1950 | 310 |
| 2000 | 451 |
Historic sites in Vissoie
The borough of 1235. Oval borough built by the bishop of Sion, whose houses form the enclosure. In the centre stood the Cour neuve, a massive stone tower, and the Ballios, a wooden tower where popular assemblies and court hearings were held, which burned down in 1880.[1]
Church of Sainte-Euphémie. Seat of the parish of the whole valley, recorded in 1231. The present church dates from 1808-1809, but its tower is older.[1]
Chapel of Notre-Dame de la Compassion. Built in 1688 on the site of the castle.[1]
Musée des patoisants. Opened in 1964 and devoted to traditional housing.[1]
Remains in Vissoie
The Cour neuve. Massive stone tower in the centre of the medieval borough.[1]
Cup-marked stone of Les Morands. The hamlet of Les Morands has a cup-marked stone.[1]
Prehistoric finds. Bronze Age and Iron Age objects have been found at Vissoie.[1]
Sources
- Dictionnaire historique de la Suisse, « Vissoie » (David Rey, version du 23.12.2016)
- Etat du Valais, Département des finances, des institutions et de la santé, Service des affaires intérieures et communales, « Rapport sur les finances communales 2008 » (février 2010) (fusions de communes et dates d'entrée en vigueur)
- geo.admin.ch, recherche de lieux (coordonnées)
Other villages near Vissoie
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