Farmhouses

The typical picture of settlement in Appenzell is characterized by individual farms. Still today approximately half of the occupied houses are individual settlements. The residential area with the barn («Gaden») usually stands in the middle of the property («Heemet») which is bordered by surrounding fences («Hag»). Due to the shape of the roof, it is possible to know in which period the farms were built. There are five different types of farmhouses.


Heidenhaus
(Heathen house)


slightly sloped roof
main window-front under gutter
«Tätschdachhaus»
main window-front under gable
flat sloping roof
mainly 16th century


Steildachhaus
(house with steep roof)


Roof sloping more than 40° (iron nails)
main windowfront under gable
17th and 18th century


Barockgiebelhaus
(with baroque gable)


Curved gable
18th/start of 19th century


Classical Appenzell house


Roof angle 40°
main window-front under gable
outer walls wood panelled (60% of the existing houses)