Berggasthaus Äscher

Aescher-Wildkirchli mountain inn
Native name
Berggasthaus Äscher (German)
Aescher inn in 2021 (Altmann in the background)
Location
Coordinates47°17′0.2″N 9°24′51.7″E / 47.283389°N 9.414361°E / 47.283389; 9.414361
Built1846 (1860)
Governing bodyWildkirchli Foundation
Location in Switzerland
Location in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden

The Berggasthaus Äscher (also known as Aescher-Wildkirchli mountain inn) is one of several inns in the Alpstein massif in the Swiss canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden (Schwende-Rüte district). It was built in one of the caves of the Wildkirchli, below the Ebenalp (at 1,640 m above the sea), along the path to Äscher.

History

The mountain inn has been in existence since 1846. The current building was constructed in 1860 on the site of a rock shelter for monks living as hermits. It is a listed building of national significance and belongs to the Wildkirchli Foundation.[1]

Since the 'Berggasthaus Äscher' appeared on the cover of National Geographic in 2015 (title “Places of a lifetime”),[2] tourism has grown rapidly. Photos shared via social media boosted the famousness of the picturesque location. Since then, it also has become a symbol of overtourism.[3] Car traffic has increased, especially during the peak season.

In 2019/2020, the building fabric was renovated.[4] The external appearance of the Äscher remained almost unchanged.[5]

Transport

Wasserauen railway station, located at 869 m (2,851 ft), is the upper terminus of the Gossau–Wasserauen railway line and situated near the valley station of an aerial tram (Luftseilbahn Wasserauen–Ebenalp) to Ebenalp.[6] The railway staition is served by the S23 service of St. Gallen S-Bahn to Appenzell, Herisau and Gossau SG stations (the latter two are served by national long-distance trains).

See also

References

  1. ^ "Stiftung will Charakter des «Äscher» erhalten" (in German). srf.ch. 9 September 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  2. ^ "Destinations of a Lifetime". Travel Book Shop. Retrieved 8 November 2025.
  3. ^ "Alpstein-Wirtepaar flieht vor Tourismus-Trubel und wagt Neuanfang" (in German). srf.ch. 5 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  4. ^ "Auffrischung eines Aushängeschilds" (in German). srf.ch. 19 May 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  5. ^ "Gallus Knechtle neuer Äscher-Wirt" (in German). srf.ch. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
  6. ^ "Ebenalp – The sun terrace of the Alpstein". www.ebenalp.ch. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
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