Attractions and Places To See in Vorderland - Top 20

Albrecht von Graefe (1828–1870), Heiden Medically, von Graefe is considered the true founder of the field of ophthalmology. In 1866, himself the son of an ophthalmologist, he became director of the ophthalmology department at the Charité in Berlin. He invented iridectomy for the treatment of glaucoma, and various other technical terms bear his name, such as Graefe's syndrome, Graefe's spot, or Graefe's reflex. His surgical skill was legendary, his creativity immense. Graefe studied medicine, mathematics, physics, and chemistry in Berlin. He wrote his dissertation in Latin in 1847. Afterwards, he was an assistant physician in Prague, where he began to dedicate himself entirely to ophthalmology. He continued his studies in Paris, Vienna, and London and returned to Berlin in 1852, where he completed his habilitation and opened a private eye clinic with 120 beds, which soon enjoyed worldwide fame in both practice and research. Graefe was exceptionally socially minded in his treatment, making no distinction based on social class – not least for this reason, his student Julius Hirschberg called him an "apostle of suffering humanity" in an obituary. Two years later, in 1854, he founded the first ophthalmological journal, the "Archiv für Ophthalmologie." In 1866, Graefe became director of the ophthalmology department at the Charité and was particularly successful in treating glaucoma and strabismus. He is said to have performed more than 10,000 eye operations. Various technical terms bear the name of the physician, such as "Graefe's syndrome," "Graefe's spot," or "Graefe's reflex." The consistent use of the ophthalmoscope developed by Helmholtz also goes back to Graefe. In 1851, Albrecht von Graefe came to Heiden for the first time; the young Berlin doctor had tuberculosis and wanted to benefit from the high-altitude climate. From 1860 onwards, he settled in Heiden every summer, operated at the «Freihof», and initiated the construction of a new spa hotel because his skill attracted so many patients that the hotel capacities were quickly insufficient. Whey cures and eye medicine helped the town to flourish, a prosperity that is still visible in the village today. von Graefe died in 1870 at the young age of 42 from pulmonary tuberculosis. Text / Source: Heiden Municipal Administration, Kirchplatz 6 / Postfach 64, 9410 Heiden https://www.heiden.ch/geschichte/13103

The house "Abendroth", Heiden In 1891, a composer chose the Appenzell spa town of Heiden as his second home. With the mysterious house «Abendroth», he built his summer residence and composed his most important late works in a magnificent location. After his death, the veil of oblivion descended upon Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843-1900). Herzogenberg discovered Heiden, then a famous spa town and meeting place for world celebrities, in 1891. As the climate seemed to benefit his heart condition, he began building the house «Abendroth» in the autumn as a summer residence and retirement home for himself and Elisabeth. The unexpected death of his wife – she died shortly before moving in in 1892 at the age of 44 from heart failure – thwarted these plans. For the first anniversary of her death, he wrote the moving German Requiem "Todtenfeier" for soloists, choir, and orchestra op. 80. The loss of his wife Elisabeth, who was also admired by Johannes Brahms, shaped his creative work in the 1890s, and there was an increased focus on church music works. During the summer months of 1892 to 1899, the composer regularly stayed in the villa "Abendroth". Here, his major late works were created, including the two-hour oratorio "Die Erntefeier" op. 104, the cantata on the chorale "Gott ist gegenwärtig" op. 106, the Liturgical Songs op. 81, and the Christmas Oratorio "Die Geburt Christi" op. 90. Many prominent figures came and went, including the music researchers and theologians Philipp and Friedrich Spitta, the famous violinist Joseph Joachim, the musician and song researcher Dr. h.c. Alfred Tobler, and the playwright Ernst von Wildenbruch. A year after Herzogenberg's death, the poet Ernst von Wildenbruch (1845-1909), grandson of Prince Ferdinand of Prussia and a widely performed playwright of the Wilhelminian era, visited the abandoned "Abendroth". An excerpt from his travel novella "Das tote Haus am Bodensee" reflects the deep emotion he felt while walking through the closed-up house: Text / Source: Internationalen Herzogenberg-Gesellschaft IHG https://www.herzogenberg.ch/haus.htm

Added to the collection: https://www.komoot.com/de-de/collection/3600632/-naturdenkmaeler-besondere-baeume-und-weitere-schaetze-der-natur

Located in the heart of Appenzellerland, the Wolfhalden Museum invites you on a journey into the region's past. Housed in a 17th-century farmhouse, it vividly depicts life in earlier times, influential figures, and the tradition of home weaving. Visitors can expect exciting permanent and special exhibitions, as well as carefully selected artifacts. For opening hours, visit: https://museumwolfhalden.ch/.

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Ideal for parking

But the days of mutual taunts and arguments are long gone, and the suspension bridge is also a sign of peaceful coexistence. The bridge replaces the steep hiking trail through the Mattenbach ravine, which was repeatedly made impassable on both sides of the stream due to massive landslides and fallen trees.

The suspension bridge built between Grub AR and Grub SG is already five years old. During this time, thousands have ventured across the narrow, 180-meter-long footbridge that runs 46 meters above the Mattenbach. Despite having the same place name, the two communities on the Vorderland border waters of Mattenbach were once mortal enemies due to their different religious beliefs.