Sion, Switzerland

View on morals of Valere

Sion ( French Sion, Valais Patois Chyoun? / I, latin Sedunum, Valais German Sittu ) is a municipality and the capital of the canton of Valais in Switzerland. Sion is also chief town of the district of Sion. Sion is located at the mouth of Sionne in the Rhone.

Geography

The city manners is at about 510 m above sea level. M. in the Lower Valais either side of the Rhone. The old urban center is located north of the Rhone banks and is drained by the stream of Sionne which is encased in parts underground today. The site of the old town falls from north to south and south-west in the direction of the river noticeably. This results in a difference in height of over 30 meters. The Rhone has been slightly pushed in an arc toward the southeast and from the old town by the bed of the cone Sionne.

To the east of the historical center, the 611 m above sea closes. M. high rock Valere and northeast another rocky outcrop with 651.8 m above sea level. M. and the fortress ruins of Tourbillon. In the West, a distance of about 1,000 meters to the old town, the dominant Mont d' Orge borders (786 m above sea level. M. ) to the current built-up area of the city. The younger parts of the city to the train station and on the southern bank of the Rhone are flat plains of Quaternary deposits. In other sediment terraces are in the western urban area of ​​the regional airport and extensive industrial parks.

The land use in morals is made up of an urban development of the city, sparse construction for commercial purposes, on the steep slopes with intensive viticulture and in the riverine areas by further agricultural or horticultural uses.

History

Archeological finds show that the area of ​​today's morals has been inhabited since the Stone Age. The dolmen of Petit- Chasseur (2900-2200 BC) are outstanding relics of Megalithbaus in the Alps. In 2008, one of the largest Celtic necropolis of the Swiss Alps were uncovered over 200 graves. The tombs date from the first Iron Age between 800-500 BC

When in the year 15 BC, the Romans conquered the Celtic Wallis until then, was the settlement Sedunum, presumably at the site of the settlement of Seduner.

580 of the bishop's seat was moved from Martigny, and since 999 the bishop of the diocese of Sion, officiated at the same time as ruler.

Near the town, on the field, " la Planta " won on November 13, 1475 Upper Valais and Bernese of the Savoy.

In 1968, the municipality was Bramois ( German Brämis ) merged with customs, in 2013 was followed by the municipality of Salins.

Sion in 1900

Links: Tourbillon, right of Valere, 1900

The Cathedral in 1900

Population

Languages

While customs in the middle of the 19th century was a bilingual city (1870 talked about 50 % of the population German ), French has now been largely replaced the German language. About 70% of Sion are French, only 5% of German and also 5% of Italian mother tongue.

Culture and sights

In morals there are several museums, including a natural history museum, an archaeological museum and the Musée de Valere, the ritual objects, furniture, weapons and uniforms issued.

Notre- Dame de Valere

Tourbillon with ruin

Sion airport

Characteristic of morals is the medieval town, dominated by the rocks Valere (621 m above sea level. M. ) with the Sanctuary of Notre -Dame de Valere ( 12-13. Century) and Tourbillon ( 655 m above sea level. M. ) with the ruins the former episcopal palace Tourbillon from the 13th century. The Basilique de Valere Basilica or by Valeria is the church on the southern of the two castle hill on the eastern Old Town boundary. It is home to the oldest playable organ in the world, which was built about 1430.

In the old town itself is worth seeing the Cathedral of Notre- Dame-du- Glarier from the 15th century. It still retains a Romanesque tower, which dates from the 12th century.

Southwest of the Cathedral is the Church of St- Théodule. It was begun in 1516 by the architect Ulrich Ruffiner as a late Gothic building, but not completed until two centuries later. Further east lies the town hall. It was built in 1657-1665 in Renaissance style, which also contains Treppenvorhaus Roman inscription stones. Particularly influential is his tower with the Astronomical Clock.

Sports

From mores of many winter sports resorts of the Valais are accessible, which is why the city has repeatedly applied to host the Winter Olympic Games, most recently to those of 2006. Morals that time, however, the application of Turin ( Torino 2006) was defeated.

The most famous football club is the two-time Swiss football league and cup winners FC Sion, in his twelfth Cup final won the 2011 twelfth title, so each could decide the final as well. In addition, the FC Sion is the first team, which was used as second division cup winners.

Economy

The city is considered one of the driest of Switzerland and its climate is mild and above average. Thanks to its climate has Sion to Satigny GE and Chamoson VS the third largest wine producing area in Switzerland. The best-known wines from the Valais are the white fendant ( made ​​from the Chasselas or Chasselas grape ) and the red Pinot Noir and Dole, a blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay grapes. The largest wine cooperative Switzerland, Provins, headquartered also in morals.

In addition to the wine and fruit and vegetable farming, watches, electrical appliances, tobacco and wood processing industry play a role. The service sector is concentrated mainly on tourism.

Since 1995, the WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF has a branch office in Sion, in the Vallée de la Sionne is a research station of the SLF.

Traffic

Sion is located on the railway line Lausanne -Brig and the Simplon important line (Lausanne -Simplon - Domodossola ). The town has a small airport which is just to the west settled by the city. On the A9 motorway, the city has two connection points can be reached. Running parallel to the main road H9 tangent to the city center.

Personalities

• Hermann Geiger (1914-1966), Rettungsflieger
• André Luisier (1924-1998), lawyer and publicist
• Maurice Zermatten (1910-2001), writer
• Micheline Calmy -Rey ( born 1945 ), politician ( SP)
• Jonathan Fumeaux (* 1988), cyclist
• Gaëtan Karlen (* 1993), football player

Gallery

Old house to the staircase of the Castles Valere and Tourbillon

Historic downtown with City Hall

Astronomical clock on the town hall