Tavannes

Infobox Swiss town
subject_name = Tavannes
municipality_name = Tavannes
municipality_type = municipality
imagepath_coa = Tavannes-coat of arms.svg

---

languages = German
canton = Berne
iso-code-region = CH-BE
district = Moutier
lat_d=47|lat_m=13|lat_NS=N|long_d=7|long_m=12|long_EW=E
postal_code = 2710
municipality_code = 0713
area = 14.65
elevation = 754|elevation_description=
population = 3319|populationof=2004
website = www.tavannes.ch
mayor = Jean-Pierre Aellen|mayor_asof=|mayor_party=
mayor_title = |list_of_mayors =
places = La Tanne
demonym =
neighboring_municipalities= Saicourt, Reconvilier, La Heutte, Sonceboz-Sombeval, Corgémont, Tramelan, Mont-Tramelan
twintowns = |

Tavannes is a municipality in the district of Moutier in the canton of Bern in Switzerland. It is located in the French-speaking Bernese Jura ("Jura Bernois").

History

The area around Tavannes was traversed by the early inhabitants of the Helvetic plain because of the natural tunnel through the Jura between the valley of the Suze and the valley of the Birse. Under the Emperor Marcus Aurelius, the Romans improved this road between 161 and 169 AD. The Roman administrator left an inscription in the cliff at Pierre-Pertuis to this effect.

Early mills were built along the Birse, utilizing its water as a source of power. Tavannes was one of the earliest inhabited locations in the district. Its name comes from the Celtic word "tavan", which means tree trunk.

In the fourth century, as the Roman Empire crumbled, the Burgundians moved into the area around Tavannes. In 630, a monastery was established at Moutier-Grandval, and Tavannes belonged to its possessions.

The first mention of Tavannes (or its Latin equivalent "Theisvenna") dates to 866. In 999, King Rudolph III of Burgundy gave the monastery of Moutier-Grandval and all its possessions to the Bishop of Basel. At Rudolph's death, the district passed into the Holy Roman Empire, to which it belonged for 760 years.

In the spring of 1530, Guillaume Farel preached the Reformation in Tavannes and surrounding areas, with great success.

After the French Revolution, the French Republican Army invaded the district in 1792 and forcibly recruited local soldiers to its ranks. Some were enthusiastic, among them Théophile Voirol, who after rapid promotions, became a general. He later became a French noble and Governor of Algeria.

The city government was not established until after the Bishopric of Basel was dissolved in 1797.

Attractions

*The Big Boss' Festival, a Christian music festival is held here annually.

External links

*commonscat-inline