Martigny, Switzerland

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"Martigny" redirects here. For other uses, see Martigny (disambiguation).

Martigny
Canton	Valais
District	Martigny
Coordinates	46°6′N 7°4′E
Population	15,000 (2000s)
Area	24.97 km²
Elevation	471 m
Postal code	1920
SFOS number	6136
Mayor	Olivier Dumas
Website	www.martigny.ch
Localities	Chemin-Dessous, La Bâtiaz, La Verrerie, Le Guercet, Martigny-Bourg, Martigny-Ville
Demonym	Les Martignerains
Martigny

Cow fight in the amphitheatre

Panorama photo

Martigny is a small city in Switzerland, located in the canton of Valais at an elevation of 475 meters. Its population is of approximately 15000 inhabitants (Martignerains or "Octoduriens"). Martigny is located at a crossroad between Italy, France and Switzerland, one road linking this town over the Great St. Bernard Pass to Aosta (Italy), and the other one, over the "col du Trient" to Chamonix (France). In winter, Martigny is appreciated for its nearby ski resorts like Verbier.

[edit] History

In the 1st century BC, present-day Martigny was an oppidum or vicus of a Celtic tribe, the Veragrii. It was then called Octodurus or Octodurum. This was the theatre of the battle of Octodurus in 56 BC between the twelfth legion, commanded by the Roman Servius Galba, and the Veragrii, allied with the Sedunii and the Nantuates.

The region joined the Roman Empire. In 47, Emperor Claudius founded Forum Claudii Augusti, later renamed Forum Claudii Vallensium to avoid confusion with another city that was dear to him. Octodurus was the principal town of the area until the displacement of the episcopal see to Sion in the 4th century.

The Romans left many archaeological remains. The city is known for its amphitheatre, which was restored in 1978. Cow fights are held in the amphitheatre during early autumn for the "Comptoir". The city is also famous for its museum, the Pierre Gianadda Foundation, built on top of Roman ruins. The foundation hosts three painting exhibitions every year, with works by renowned masters. It also has a permanent automobile and Gallo-Roman exhibitions.

The area has some apricot orchards and vines on steep slopes which drain into the Dranse (a tributary of the Rhône River) west of the city.