Appenzell (village)

Appenzell is a village in northeastern Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. The Federal Statistical Office counts it as a town, yet it has no municipal government of its own: its parts belong to and are governed by the districts of Appenzell and Schwende-Rute, and a special-purpose municipality, the Feuerschaugemeinde, handles firefighting, energy and water for the village. The place was recorded in 1071 as Abbacella and by 1223 as Abbatiscella, meaning the abbot's cell, a reference to the abbot of the Abbey of Saint Gall. The village core, the parish church, the town hall of 1563, the Salesis house, the ruins of Clanx Castle and the state archives with the administration building are listed as heritage sites of national importance. Appenzell railway station is a junction of two lines run by Appenzell Railways and is linked by the S21 and S23 to St. Gallen, Herisau and Gossau.