Herisau

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Coordinates: 47°23′N 9°16′E

Herisau
Canton	Appenzell Ausserrhoden
District	n.a.
Coordinates	47°23′N 9°16′E
Population	18507   (January 2004)
Area	25.17 km²
Elevation	771 m
Postal code	9100
SFOS number	3001
Website	www.herisau.ch
Herisau

Herisau is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in Switzerland. It has a population of 15,600 (2002). The area of Herisau is 25.17 km². Herisau is the seat of the canton's government and parliament.

Contents 1 History 2 Economy 3 Notable residents 4 External links

[edit] History

Herisau was first mentioned in 837, its church in 907. In 1084 Herisau was destroyed as part of battles around the monastery in St. Gallen. In 1248 and 1249 the town was destroyed again, this time by the monastery to establish loyalty. In 1401 Herisau joined an alliance with other places in Appenzell.

Between 1517 and 1518 Herisau managed to buy itself free from the monastery. The town hall was built in 1601. In 1606 the town was largely destroyed by a fire. In 1648 Schwellbrunn separates and becomes an independent village. Between 1798 and 1803 Herisau was the capital of the canton Säntis.

[edit] Economy

Herisau is located in the centre of eastern Switzerland. As early as 1537 it established itself as an important centre of trade and commerce.

[edit] Notable residents

• Robert Walser (1878-1956), writer
• Johannes Baumann, member of the Swiss Federal Council (1934–1940)
• Hans-Rudolf Merz, member of the Swiss Federal Council (since 2004)
• Paul Giger (born 1952), violinist and composer

[edit] External links

• http://www.herisau.ch (German) official website
• Herisau in German, French or Italian in the online Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.