Bed and Breakfast in Appenzell

In 1597, the canton of Appenzell was divided into two half-cantons: the Catholic Appenzell Innerrhoden and the reformed Protestant Appenzell Ausserrhoden. The capital of Appenzell Innerrhoden (the smallest canton in terms of population) is the picturesque town of Appenzell, with about 7,000 residents. Appenzell gets much of its charm and character from the colourfully-painted wooden houses with beautiful gables, which started in 1560 after a fire destroyed a large part of the village. Surrounded by hills, Appenzell is an ideal starting point for many hikes into the Alpstein area through lush green meadows and past traditional farmhouses full of windows. This scenic area, with its range of welcoming hotels, charming bed & breakfasts, inexpensive apartments, rooms or private accommodation, leaves nothing to be desired. There are many opportunities for mountain hikes, most notably to the Säntis (at 2502m, the highest mountain of the region). There is also a cableway that leads to its top. Daily life is still dominated by religious and local alpine customs. In early summer, the colourful procession “Alpaufzug” (cattle being driven to alpine pastures) is a special experience and a popular motif of Appenzell “Bauernmalerei” (folk art painting) and handcrafted souvenirs. The procession is led by a boy dressed in a traditional costumer and a flock of white goats, which are held in check by a girl. The goats are followed in a set order by an alpine herdsman wearing a festive traditional costume, three cows with sonically-matched bells, four singing and cheering alpine herdsmen, the herd of cattle with their owners, an Appenzeller Mountain Dog , a horse, and a cart with all the dairy equipment. Another active, living tradition is the Landsgemeinde (gathering of electorates), one of the oldest and simplest forms of direct democracy in Switzerland, which today only takes place in the cantons of Glarus and Appenzell Innerrhoden. Since 1403, eligible voters gather once a year at the Landsgemeindeplatz (town square) in the open air to vote and decide on items of business by raising a hand. Afterwards, a boisterous village fair is celebrated featuring typical Appenzeller music with the unmistakable sound of the dulcimer and a trapezoidal zither. Residents wear the colourful traditional costumes with elaborate embroidery and jewellery.