Appenzell – amidst hills and tradition

Who isn’t familiar with the charming old buildings adorned with ornate murals? They characterize the very essence of the Appenzell region. This unique hilly landscape to the north of Mount Säntis (2502 m.a.s.l) is made up of the half-cantons Appenzell Innerrhoden and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Both are completely surrounded by canton St. Gallen. Customs and tradition are an important part of life in Appenzell. Appenzellers wear their typical costume with pride. Whether it’s to accompany the cattle herds to and from their summer grazing grounds high up on the alp, or to the ‘Silvesterchläuse’ turn-of-the-year procession or ‘Gidio Hosestoss’ in Herisau – the eerily moving farewell ceremony for one of the town’s most prominent citizens. Legend has it that he choked to death on a stolen biscuit 150 years ago. Nowadays, ‘Gidio’ is burnt on a pyre to herald the advent of spring. Herisau is an excellent location for conferences too. The Herisau Hotel has four seminar rooms and a capacity of up to 80 conference guests. And – who knows – you might even cross paths with an authentic Appenzeller in his traditional Sunday best.