Easy hikes and walks in Vorderland

There are several roads and paths in the region with great views over the lake. But this spot is really special… especially because, from midday at the latest, you have the sun at your back.

This small chapel on the ridge was built in 1892 in honor of Our Lady of Lourdes. From the chapel, you have a wonderful view into the distance, over Lake Constance and the associated national borders.

Fünfländerblick On the Fünfländerblick, the view is fantastic. The Fünfländerblick owes its name to the view of Switzerland, Austria, and the formerly independent German states of Bavaria, Württemberg, and Baden. Text / Source: St.Gallen-Bodensee Tourismus, Bankgasse 9, St.Gallen https://st.gallen-bodensee.ch/de/map/poi/funflanderblick-ac477623-0957-4a92-bf9c-9bd555970463.html

Maria Lourdes Kapelle (1892) Rossbüchel In 1892, a Lourdes chapel was built on the ridge on behalf of Klara Bischof. For over 100 years, a chapel has stood on the crest of the Rossbüchel in honor of the Mother of God of Lourdes. The builder of the chapel was the devout maiden Klara Bischof, originating from a family of roofers and therefore commonly known by the name "Deckers Klara". On the occasion of a pilgrimage to Rankweil, Klara Bischof visited the Lourdes chapel in Altenstadt. It was there that she got the idea to erect a chapel in Grub as a thank you for the health regained in Lourdes. When carrying out the plan, difficulties arose from all sides. The church administration feared a decline in church attendance and thus a reduction in offertory income for the church. However, there were also enough people who encouraged Klara Bischof in her endeavor. On January 25, 1892, she was able to acquire the necessary land on the height of the Rossbüchel at a low price. Material transport began just a few days later. 180 loads of masonry stones were quarried and transported to the height. The construction, which began on March 23, was completed at the end of June. Bell founder Egger in Staad donated the little bell, which was transported to Grub on a richly decorated handcart, was consecrated on June 16, and its voice first sounded on June 18. Egger also donated the cross and knob for the small tower. The Lourdes statue arrived on March 11 from Gröden in Tyrol and was first housed in Klara Bischof's home. Under festive accompaniment, the solemn transfer of the two statues, Maria and Bernadette, to the chapel took place on August 6. The festive day of the chapel's consecration was the feast day of the Assumption of Mary, on August 15, 1892. Ext / Quelle: eggersriet.ch http://www.eggersriet.ch/de/aktuellesportrait/portrait/geschichte/welcome.php?action=showinfo&info_id=7348

Mattenbach Suspension Bridge, Grub AR to Grub SG The Grub-Grub pedestrian suspension bridge between Grub Appenzell and Grub St. Gallen is one of the solid, down-to-earth suspension bridges. Without frills and with two anchorages on each side, the bridge still swings enough to feel the real suspension bridge experience. With a walkway width of just 65cm, it is one of the narrowest suspension bridges in Switzerland. Because the side cladding was attached conically, the width at "backpack height" is still sufficient for careful crossing. The bridge is a welcome shortcut for locals between the two villages. Since the bridge, opened in April 2019, was also mentioned in the Swiss press and on television, it is also known regionally. On beautiful weekend days, there can be quite a few people at the bridge. It is 180 meters long, the new attraction in the Appenzeller Vorderland. Since April 2019, the two villages Grub AR and Grub SG have been connected again by an attractive, 180-meter-long suspension bridge over the Mattenbach. A very popular hiking trail across the cantonal border from Frauenrüti Grub AR to the Grünau area Grub SG is thus continuously accessible again. The bridge is only for the sure-footed. The highest point of the bridge is around 40 meters above the gorge. Text / Source: haengebruecken.com/grub-grub https://www.haengebruecken.com/grub-grub-kantonsverbindend-haengebruecke/

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

Heidenbach Heiden - Built in June 1996 Wooden bridge over the Heidenbach Built in June 1996 By the Vorderland AR civil protection organization And the local tradesman. On behalf of the Heiden spa association. Supported by the municipality of Heiden

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