Local history in Switzerland.
11 December 2021
The history of Zermatt dates back to the 13th century. In 1280, the village was mentioned for the first time in a charter under the name “Pratobornum”. The first German name was mentioned in documents from 1495 and 1544. The German names were “zer mat”, “zer Mat”, or “zur Matt”. “Zermatt” was the name in … Read more » “Zermatt and the Matterhorn”
8 December 2021
Montfaucon is one of the oldest villages on the Franches-Montagnes plateau (canton of Jura). The church of Montem falconis (Mont du Faucon) is mentioned in a bull by Pope Innocent II in 1139. The village already existed before the 12th century, however. The church of Montfaucon was dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. In 1384, Imier of … Read more » “Montfaucon, one of the oldest villages of the Franches-Montagnes”
23 November 2021
Saignelégier is the capital of the Franches-Montagnes (canton of Jura). Before 1380, the region, which lies at an average altitude of 1,000 metres, was called the Montagne des Bois (Forest Mountain). Dense forests covered the area. In 1385, the Prince-Bishop Imier de Ramstein of the Prince-Bishopric Basel declared the region tax-free for the inhabitants, hence … Read more » “Saignelégier, horse breeding and the Franches-Montagnes”
