Appenzell

The capital of Appenzell Innerrhoden, and unusual in having no municipal government of its own, the different parts belong to the districts of Appenzell and Schwende-Rüte, with a special-purpose municipality, the Feuerschaugemeinde, handling fire, energy and water. The village was called Abbacella in 1071 and Abbatiscella by 1223, meaning the abbot’s cell, a reference to the Abbot of St Gall. The village core, the parish church, the town hall of 1563, the Salesis house, the ruins of Clanx Castle and the state archives are all listed as heritage sites of national importance.