Herisau: Holiday Apartments and Holiday Homes

The permanent exhibition at the Herisau Museum explores everyday life, politics and culture through topics such as castles, mobility, Appenzell mills, medicine, the history of schools and Robert Walser, as well as the residential and musical culture of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. This thematic breadth is particularly interesting for those interested in culture.

You can rent a holiday apartment in Herisau.

Culture

The Robert Walser Trail in Herisau connects several places associated with the writer, including the Walser Fountain, the grounds of the Krombach Clinic, the place of his death on the Rosenberg and his grave. The circular trail is accessible all year round. Those interested in literature will find a clearly defined thematic trail through Herisau.

The museum in the Old Town Hall opposite the Reformed Church is the cultural history museum of the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and also maintains an outpost in the hamlet of Schwänberg.

The venue also offers themed guided tours of the village.

Landscape

On the ridge between Poststrasse and the Egg bus stop, a walk offers views across the Appenzell hills and towards the Säntis. The route can be extended to the Lutzenland viewpoint and triangulation point.

Magdenau Abbey is located in the vicinity of Herisau; the Wilkethöchi summit is also nearby. In the wider regional surroundings are the Säntis, the Stockberg and Kreuzberg No. 4 peaks, as well as Ober Burg Castle ruins.

Appenzell Ausserrhoden lies in northeastern Switzerland and in the Alpine foothills of the Alpstein massif.

History and Townscape

At the edge of the municipality of Herisau, covered wooden bridges with decorated ridge beams stand in Kubel, Hundwilertobel and Wissenbachtobel.

Nusstüren, Baroque façades, romantic arcades and hidden gardens found throughout the town are part of Herisau's historic character.

The railway tradition dates back to the station opened in 1875. A striking viaduct over the Glatt Valley was built between 1907 and 1910 for today's through station.

After 1835, Herisau's townscape changed considerably: three new roads led away from the centre, and industry developed along the Sägebach, the Glatt and the Nordhalde.

Herisau is the seat of the cantonal parliament, government and police of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and is de facto regarded as the canton’s capital.

If you would like to compare other destinations, the following pages lead to Waldstatt, Urnäsch, Hundwil, Stein, Schönengrund and Schwellbrunn.

To the higher-level travel overview: Hinterland.