Are you ready for a journey full of surprises?
Discover Wildhaus, a place full of fascination and history! Did you know that…
- …the highest postcode in Switzerland can be found here?
- …Wildhaus had no coat of arms until 1939?
- …Wildhaus was the highest municipality in the canton of St. Gallen until 2010?
- …you can discover traces of the reformer in the house where Zwingli was born?
Immerse yourself inthe world of Wildhaus and be enchanted by its unique fun facts! In this blog post, we take you on an exciting journey through the past and present of this charming municipality.
Fun facts about Wildhaus that you didn’t know yet!
1. Wildhaus is no longer a political municipality
Wildhauswas a political municipality in Obertoggenburg in the canton of St. Gallenuntil 31 December 2009. On 1 January 2010, the municipalities of Wildhaus and Alt St. Johann merged to form the new municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann.
2 Wildhaus has the highest postcode in Switzerland
At 9658, Wildhaus has the highest postcode in Switzerland.
3. until 1939 Wildhaus had no coat of arms
Wildhaus did not have a coat of arms until 1939. All Swiss municipalities were required to have a coat of arms for the Swiss National Exhibition in 1939. Willy Baur, a graphic artist from St. Gallen, designed the current coat of arms on behalf of the St. Gallen Cantonal Coat of Arms Commission.
4 Wildhaus was the highest municipality in the canton
Before the merger in 2010, Wildhaus was the highest municipality in the canton. It lies between the Säntis and Churfirsten massifs along the main road 16 at a pass crossing at an altitude of 1095 metres on the road from Gams in the Rhine Valley to Unterwasser and Wattwil in Toggenburg.
5 The 87-kilometre-long Toggenburg High Trail begins in Wildhaus
The Toggenburg HighTrail begins in Wild haus and leads over 87 kilometres in five stages via Arvenbüel, Atzmännig and Mühlrüti to Wil.
6. the house where Zwingli was born is in Wildhaus
Zwingli’ s birthplace is located in the Lisighaus neighbourhood of Wildhaus. It dates back to the 15th century, making it one of the oldest surviving farmhouses in Switzerland. The reformer Huldrych Zwingli was born in it on 1 January 1484.
7 Wildhaus had a special means of transport for winter sports enthusiasts
From 1939 to 1949, Wildhaus had a special means of transport for winter sports enthusiasts. It was a toboggan cable car known as the “Funi”. Like a funicular railway, two sledges with runners travelled up and down the snow in opposite directions.
About Wildhaus
Until 31 December 2009,Wildhaus was a political municipality in Obertoggenburg in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland. On 1 January 2010, the municipalities of Wildhaus and Alt St. Johann merged to form the new municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann.
Facts and figures
- Population: around 2,600 (municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann)
- Area: 34.65 km²
- Altitude: 1,095 m above sea level
Places of interest
- Zwingli House: birthplace of Ulrich Zwingli
- Wildhaus Reformed Church
- Toggenburg High Trail
- Catholic Church of St Bartolmaeus
Activities in
- Hiking: Wildhaus is a paradise for hikers. There is a network of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty.
- Cycling: Mountain bikers and racing cyclists will find a variety of routes in Wildhaus.
- Winter sports: In winter, Wildhaus offers a ski area with 22 kilometres of pistes, cross-country ski trails, winter hiking trails and a toboggan run.
- Paragliding: Wildhaus is an ideal place for paragliding.
- Wellness: Wildhaus has several hotels and spas with wellness facilities.
Arrival
Wildhaus can be reached by car, bus and train.
- By car: You can reach the upper Toggenburg from the surrounding centres of St. Gallen, Winterthur, Zurich or the Lake Constance region in around 60 minutes.
- By train and bus: Take the train to Nesslau-Neu St. Johann or Buchs SG, then take the Postbus to Wildhaus.
Bonus tip: Discover Wildhaus with Foxtrail
Foxtrail is a unique and interactive scavenger hunt that offers visitors an innovative way to discover Wildhaus and its sights. In this adventure, participants are guided through the village in teams, solving puzzles and deciphering clues to find the next location on their way. This experience is designed to not only encourage physical movement through the village, but also to challenge teamwork and logical thinking.
How does the Foxtrail in Wildhaus work?
Starting point: Each Foxtrail begins at a designated starting point where teams receive their documents and initial clues. This marks the start of their adventure through Wildhaus.
Solve puzzles: Participants have to solve various puzzles that lead them to hidden messages, unusual places and impressive sights in Wildhaus. The puzzles are designed to encourage participants to take a closer look at the surroundings and engage with the history and culture of the place.
Team experience: Although Foxtrail can be experienced with family, friends or as a team-building activity with colleagues, the focus is on the shared experience. The tasks require communication and co-operation, which makes the whole experience a social one.
By taking part in a Foxtrail in Wildhaus, visitors get the opportunity to explore the town in a fun way. They not only discover the well-known sights, but also hidden corners and special places that are off the beaten track. At the same time, they learn interesting facts about Wildhaus and its history, making the experience both educational and entertaining. Foxtrail thus offers a perfect combination of adventure, culture and fun, ideal for anyone who wants to discover Wildhaus in a unique and interactive way.