Herisau: Culture, Literature and Local History

Herisau brings together cultural history, literary sites of remembrance and walks with views of the landscape. The permanent exhibition at the Herisau Museum and the Robert Walser Trail offer different ways to explore the history of the town. Historic architectural features, bridges and a walk along the hilltop complement these highlights. You can shape your stay around the topics that interest you most.

Museums and Cultural History

The permanent exhibition at the Herisau Museum offers insights into everyday life, politics and culture. Its themes range from knights and castles to mobility and transport, mills in Appenzell, medicine and spa culture, and the history of schools. It also covers the life and work of Robert Walser (1878–1956), as well as residential and musical culture in Appenzell Ausserrhoden. This broad range of topics brings together literary, social and everyday aspects.

The Herisau Museum is the cultural history museum for the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden. It is located in the Old Town Hall on the square directly opposite the Reformed church and has an outpost in the hamlet of Schwänberg. The Herisau Puppet Theatre Museum is housed in a historic building in the town centre. Together, these museums contribute a range of themes to Herisau’s cultural identity.

Following in Robert Walser’s Footsteps

The Robert Walser Trail connects several places associated with the writer’s life and memory. These include the Walser Fountain, the clinic grounds at Krombach, the place where he died at Rosenberg and his grave. The circular trail is accessible year-round. Its focus on specific locations sets it apart from an exhibition: the route centres on sites and places of remembrance.

Another historical walking route is the Herisau Cultural Trail. It was established in 2005 under the direction of the municipality as a route for locals and tourists. Together with the Robert Walser Trail, it shows that Herisau offers both literary sites of remembrance and local history as themes for walking routes.

Townscape, Railway History and Bridges

Walnut doors, Baroque façades, romantic arcades and secluded gardens can be found throughout Herisau as reminders of the past. The town’s history also includes a major transformation of its townscape: intensive construction began after 1835. By 1910, the three roads leading away from the centre—Poststrasse, Kasernenstrasse and Bahnhofstrasse—had been built. Industrial settlements developed along the Sägebach and Glatt streams and in the Nordhalde area.

The railway station, opened in the centre in 1875, is part of Herisau’s railway history. The striking viaduct over the Glatt valley was built between 1907 and 1910 for the present through station. The station and viaduct therefore represent two different stages in Herisau’s railway history. Covered wooden bridges can also be found on the edge of the municipality, in Kubel, Hundwilertobel and Wissenbachtobel. Their ridge beams are decorated with sayings.

Walks and Practical Information

A walk along the hilltop between Poststrasse and the Egg bus stop offers views of the Appenzell hills and the Säntis. You can extend the walk with a detour to the Lutzenland viewpoint and triangulation point. This gives you a choice of two different highlights: the hilltop walk focuses on landscape views and the viewpoint, while the Robert Walser Trail focuses on sites associated with the writer.

Another destination is the 2,300 m² indoor playground at Appenzeller Park. From Herisau railway station, take bus 175 towards Ramsen to the Cilander stop. From there, Appenzeller Park is about 200 metres away on foot, via the viaduct and Hölzlistrasse. Timetables may change, so check the current connection before travelling.

The Old Town Hall in Schwänberg and its exhibition have their own visiting hours: visits are free on the first Sunday of every month from 14:00 to 16:00. As the schedule may change, check the date before visiting. Unlike the Robert Walser Trail, which is accessible year-round, visits are limited to this monthly time slot.

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