Goms is a municipality in the district of Goms in the canton of Valais in Switzerland. On 1 January 2017, the former municipalities of Niederwald, Blitzingen, Grafschaft, Münster-Geschinen and Reckingen-Gluringen merged into the new municipality of Goms.

History Blitzingen Blitzingen is first mentioned in 1203 as Blicingen.

Grafschaft Grafschaft was created in 2000 through the merger of Biel (VS), Ritzingen and Selkingen. Biel was first mentioned in 1277 as Buele. Starting in the 13th Century, Ritzingen gradually became a municipality. By the 16th Century the traditional practices and pastures of the farmers were finally codified into laws. Selkingen was first mentioned in 1374 as villa de Selgingen.

Münster-Geschinen Münster-Geschinen was formed in 2004 from the union of the municipalities of Münster and Geschinen.Amtliches Gemeindeverzeichnis der Schweiz published by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office accessed 19 July 2011 Münster is first mentioned in 1221 as Musterium. Geschinen is first mentioned in 1327 as Gessinon.

Niederwald Niederwald is first mentioned in 1526 as Zniderwaldt.

Reckingen-Gluringen Reckingen-Gluringen was formed in 2004 from the union of the municipalities of Reckingen and Gluringen. Reckingen is first mentioned in 1225 as Requinguen. Gluringen is first mentioned in 1203 as Gluringen.

Geography

Goms has an area, , of .

Population The new municipality has a population () of .

Historic population The historical population is given in the following chart:Swiss Federal Statistical Office STAT-TAB Bevölkerungsentwicklung nach institutionellen Gliederungen, 1850-2000 accessed 27 April 2016

Heritage sites of national significance

The Church of St. Maria with Cemetery Chapel in Munster and the Church of Mariä Geburt in Reckingen-Gluringen are listed as a Swiss heritage site of national significance. The entire villages of Münster and Geschinen are both part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites. The villages of Biel, Ritzingen, Selkingen, Niederwald, Gluringen and Reckingen along with the entire hamlets of Ammere / Gadme / Wiler and Bodmen are designated as part of the Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites.

Notable residents Niederwald was home to famous hotelier César Ritz, who is buried in the local cemetery.

References

External links