|
Appenzell Inner Rhodes is located south of Lake Constance in the north eastern part of Switzerland and is surrounded by the neighbouring cantons of St. Gallen and Appenzell Outer Rhodes. It includes the central region as the inner land, Oberegg as the outer land and the additional exclaves of the convents of Grimmenstein and Wonnenstein. The crooked and complicated border line is due mainly to the historical and political developments.
The smallest Swiss canton
Appenzell Inner Rhodes is the smallest Swiss canton. The acreage amounts to 66.58 sq. miles of which 5.64 sq. miles belongs to Oberegg. The people from Inner Rhodes maintain that this is not a lot but smirkly add that they have selected the best area. This jocular reasoning has some truth in it since the geographical diversity and rich qualities give the Inner Rhodes a special charm.
North of Appenzell the Burgstock stands out as an imposing part of a chain of hills which stretches out from the Hundwiler Höhi to towards Oberegg. The dome-shaped hillock, which can be easily reached within an hour from Appenzell, was ruled by Clanx Castle during the Middle Ages, the remains of which can still be seen on the outstanding position of this beauty spot. From here, practically the whole area of the inner land can be viewed:
In the north-west are the hamlets of Lank and Rapisau with the main roads leading via Enggenhütten to Herisau or Stein. The road to Haslen runs along the right-hand side of the valley in the hilly countryside above the River Sitter. Above this is the sunny slope of Schlatt. To the south are the meadows leading from Lehn down into the valley hollow of Appenzell. East of the town of Appenzell are the railway line and road leading to Sammelplatz which is considered as a main crossing with access roads coming from St. Gallen and the Rhine Valley via Gais. Behind the Hirschberg a broad area of meadows and moors climbs towards Eggerstanden. From there the shortest connection leads to the Rhine Valley. At the foot of the Fähnern peak from Steinegg to Weissbad/Schwende and Brülisau dozens of farmhouses lie scattered at the bottom of the valley.
|
|
