A majestically located spa resort - Heiden

Heiden is located between Lake Constance and the Säntis mountain, its historic centre occupying an exposed hilltop that commands distant views of Lake Constance. From 1860 on, the textile industry established itself in what was previously a village of farmers and home-working artisans. Yet, spa tourism was the key factor behind Heiden's growing prominence. In around 1848, it started attracting visitors seeking whey cures and, thanks to the efforts of eminent doctors, ultimately became one of Europe's most famous spa resorts. It is also the place where Red Cross founder Henri Dunant spent his retirement.  

Among Heiden's special features and attractions is the Biedermeier-style neoclassical architecture of the village core. After a major fire in 1838 had destroyed almost the entire village, it was reconstructed in 1839/40 according to a systematic plan: enclosed by magnificent, front-gabled public buildings, the rectangular Kirchplatz (church square) forms the intersection between long, straight streets. Located at the highest point in the village, the church is a highly visible landmark. Of similarly high quality are the residential districts built in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries along several traffic arteries.  

Heiden has plenty to offer. The options include a stroll through the village and a visit to the Museum Heiden, Museum Henri-Dunant and the nearby square, the Dunantplatz. Visitors who climb the church tower will be treated to a spectacular bird's eye panorama of Heiden. Numerous trails leading through the Appenzell hillscape also regale hikers with splendid views.  

ISOS is the Federal Inventory of Swiss Heritage Sites of national importance. The inventory is maintained by the Federal Office of Culture (FOC) and lists the most significant settlements in Switzerland. Today, some 1,200 places are included in the inventory, from hamlets right through to cities. The inventory provides information on the development and identity of the settlements listed in it, thereby contributing to the preservation of architectural diversity in Switzerland and promoting both sustainable planning and a high-quality Baukultur.