Hauptgasse
The main street.
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Appenzell is a small village and the capital of Appenzell Innerrhoden, the least populous canton in Switzerland, set in green hills in the east of the country below the Alpstein mountains, near Lake Constance. It is best known for its main street, the Hauptgasse, lined with narrow wooden houses whose facades are painted in bright colours with floral patterns and scenes of rural life, with curved gables and wrought-iron signs above the shops. The area holds firmly to its rural traditions, including costumes, folk music and an annual open-air gathering in the village square where citizens vote by show of hands. Small shops sell the famous Appenzeller cheese, local crafts and traditional breads, and the Museum Appenzell shows the region's history and crafts. Walking trails into the Alpstein start from the village, and a small train links it to Wasserauen, the starting point of the cable car to Ebenalp. Exploring the village is free. It is small and easy to see on foot in an hour or two, and it combines well with a visit to the Aescher guesthouse in one day.
The main street.
History and crafts.
In the shops.
Hauptgasse, Appenzell, Switzerland
One to two hours.
Aescher and the Seealpsee.