Ayas
Edited by:
Maurizio Bergamini
Introduction
It is the highest municipality in the Evançon valley and is made up of thirty-five villages, some of which have become well known: Antagnod (1709m) is the seat of the Town Hall and the main town of the municipality; Champoluc (1568m) is the most populous centre and is known for its ski area connected to Gressoney and Alagna (Monterosa ski); Saint-Jacques (1689m) is the starting point for mountaineering excursions to the Monte Rosa group and its many peaks over 4000m.Description
Information sheet
Area: 129.42 square km
Altitude: 1267m
Maximum elevation: Castore (4226m)
Number of inhabitants: 1359
Name in dialect: Ayas
Inhabitant name: Ayassins - Ayassin or Ayatsin, Ayassine or Ayatsine
Patron Saint: Saint-Martin de Tours (11 November)
Website:www.comune.ayas.ao.it
Webcam:
Neighbouring municipalities: Brusson, Chamois, Châtillon, Gressoney-la-Trinité, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, La Magdeleine, Saint-Vincent, Valtournenche, Zermatt
Villages and hamlets: Antagnod, Barmasc, Bisous, Mandrou, Magnéaz, Paloueta, Palenc, Champlan, Champoluc, Frachey, Saint Jacques, Pra Sec, Rovinal, Drole, Blanchard, Peyo, Reze, Crojetta, Fiére, Suttsun, Cunéa, Crest, Frantse, Mascognaz, Pila, Magnéchoula, Eriu, Periahc, Periahc d'Aval, La Crouch, Trochey, Meytére, Cornu, Corbet, Lignod, Borbey, L'Ojel, Goi Deseut, Goi Damon, Pieit, Granon, Grana
Highlands:
Description
This is the highest commune in the Evançon valley and is made up of thirty-five villages, some of which have become very well-known: Antagnod (1709m) the seat of the Town Hall and capital of the municipality; Champoluc (1568m) the most populous centre and known for its ski area linked to that of Gressoney and Alagna (Monterosa ski); Saint-Jacques (1689m) the starting point for mountaineering excursions to the Monte Rosa group and its many peaks over 4000m.
The local toponymy suggests a possible anthropisation of the area in pre-Roman times, but there are also traces of Germanic presence, even if we cannot speak of a real colonisation as in the nearby Gressoney valley. During the Middle Ages, the municipality of Ayas followed the vicissitudes of the house of Challant and the seigniory of Graines, in which it was included, until its enfranchisement in 1783.
The municipality of Ayas was inhabited for centuries thanks to a small village in the valley.
Lived for centuries thanks to a closed and rather poor agricultural economy, so much so as to have fed various migratory currents, Ayas experienced a radical transformation only with the advent of tourism, now truly mass tourism (at least in winter) thanks to a vast ski area and numerous accommodation facilities.
It is the highest municipality in the Evançon valley and is made up of thirty-five villages, some of which have become well known: Antagnod (1709m) is the seat of the Town Hall and the main town of the municipality; Champoluc (1568m) is the most populous centre and is known for its ski area connected to Gressoney and Alagna (Monterosa ski); Saint-Jacques (1689m) is the starting point for alpine excursions to the Monte Rosa group and its many peaks over 4000m. The local toponymy suggests a possible anthropisation of the area in pre-Roman times, but there are also traces of Germanic presence even if we cannot speak of a real colonisation as in the nearby Gressoney valley. During the Middle Ages, the municipality of Ayas followed the vicissitudes of the house of Challant and the lordship of Graines in which it was included, until its enfranchisement in 1783. Lived for centuries thanks to a closed and rather poor agricultural economy, so much so as to have fed several migratory currents, Ayas experienced a radical transformation only with the advent of tourism, now truly mass (at least in winter) thanks to a vast ski area and numerous accommodation facilities.
Information
Superficie: 129,42 kmq
Altitudine: 1267m
Maggior elevazione: Castore (4226m)
Numero abitanti: 1359
Nome in dialetto: Ayas
Nome abitanti: Ayassins - Ayassin o Ayatsin, Ayassine o Ayatsine
Santo Patrono: Saint-Martin de Tours (11 novembre)
Sito internet: www.comune.ayas.ao.it
Webcam:
Comuni confinanti: Brusson, Chamois, Châtillon, Gressoney-la-Trinité, Gressoney-Saint-Jean, La Magdeleine, Saint-Vincent, Valtournenche, Zermatt
Villaggi e frazioni: Antagnod, Barmasc, Bisous, Mandrou, Magnéaz, Paloueta, Palenc, Champlan, Champoluc, Frachey, Saint Jacques, Pra Sec, Rovinal, Drole, Blanchard, Peyo, Reze, Crojetta, Fiére, Suttsun, Cunéa, Crest, Frantse, Mascognaz, Pila, Magnéchoula, Eriu, Periahc, Periahc d'Aval, La Crouch, Trochey, Meytére, Cornu, Corbet, Lignod, Borbey, L'Ojel, Goi Deseut, Goi Damon, Pieit, Granon, Grana
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