History Sargans

there traces of neolithic settlement in area. significant roman-era estate destroyed alamannic incursion in c. 270. sargans remained part of lower raetia in medieval period, gradual displacement of rumantsch alemannic speakers during high medieval period. church dedicated saint cassian mentioned in 9th century. sargans part of territory of county of werdenberg 12th century, separate line of werdenberg-sargans established in later 13th century. castle presumably first built in 12th century , first mentioned in 1282. town of sargans grew around castle in 13th century.

sargans mentioned senegaunis in 11th century. earlier mention de senegaune, ostensibly dated 765, survives in 16th-century copy. in 1248 mentioned sanegans, in 1264 sangans , in 1332 santgans. modern spelling dates 16th century. etymology of name unknown; san- seems have changed sar- under influence of hydronym saar. popular etymology connecting name sargans goose (german gans) may date 15th century.

from 1406, combined fortification of town , castle built. in 1445, town, not castle, captured , burned swiss confederacy. town given limited rights of self-government in 1456 when count agreed select schultheiss out of list of 3 candidates submitted burghers. in 1483, count jürg of werdenberg-sargans forced sell county swiss confederacy 15,000 rhenish guilder. time until 1798, castle seat of swiss reeves. town burned down again in 1490. in 1501, swiss confederac confirmed city rights of sargans , granted right weekly market.

the municipal coat of arms goes 15th century. canting, showing goose based on folk etymoloy name sargans. historical coat of arms of county of sargans azure 3 mullets or.

in 1798, sargans became part of mels district of canton of linth in helvetic republic. incorporated canton of st. gallen in 1803. of town destroyed fire in 1811.

sargans @ juncture of railway lines connecting chur zürich , lake constance, built in 1859. line vienna added in 1884. saar first canalised in 1858 construction of railway station , again in 1978 construction of a3-a13 motorway junction.

sargans remained unaffected industrialisation; gonzen iron ore mine closed down in 1966.