Appenzell
Overview
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Intro
The small town of Appenzell is the capital of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. Characterised by the river Sitter, which meanders through the town, Appenzell impresses with its historic residential districts and characteristic timber-frame buildings.
The name Appenzell (derived from the Latin words “abbas” – abbot – and “cella” – cell) already provides some insight into the capital’s origins. The parish church of Saint Mauritius was built right next to the river, and settlers gradually built their homes next to it. In 1560, a village fire destroyed 170 buildings, including the parish church. The building that followed now towers over the river and marks the eastern edge of the stately town centre. Its traditional wooden gabled buildings, which are lined up close together, bear witness to the prosperity of earlier centuries, when the “Hofer”, as the residents are sometimes still called today, achieved wealth and prestige thanks to textile refinement, long-distance trade relations and foreign military service. In addition to the parish church, distinctive individual buildings include the painted red town hall, the Appenzell Museum, the late-Gothic Holy Cross Chapel, Appenzell Castle and the convent.
Peculiarities of the small town at the geographical centre of Appenzell Innerrhoden include the famous square in front of the cantonal assembly, which has been attested since 1403, and the unique Ried district. Founded in 1483, Ried is one of the oldest social settlements still in existence in Europe.
ISOS
ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.
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Contact
Appenzellerland Tourismus AI
Hauptgasse 38
9050
Appenzell
Switzerland
Phone
+41 (0)71 788 96 41
info@appenzell.ch
appenzell.ch
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