Schutzengelfest

Schutzengelfest (Festival of the Guardian Angel)

Second Sunday in July

Schutzengelfest is a religious and social occasion in northern Switzerland observed since the 17th century. Its setting is the Wildkirchli, or "chapel in the wild," a cave in the Alpstein mountain range in the Appenzell Innerrhoden Canton. A Capuchin monk decided in 1621 that the cave, which is now renowned for prehistoric finds, was an ideal place for a mountain worship service. In 1679, Paulus Ulmann, a priest in nearby Appenzell, set up a foundation to ensure that services would continue.
The festival starts at 10 a.m. when a priest or monk from Appenzell conducts the worship service. Then, a yodelers' choir gives a festive concert, and participants start walking to the villages of Ebenalp or Aescher for feasting and dancing.

CONTACTS:
Switzerland Tourism
Swiss Ctr., 608 Fifth Ave.
New York, NY 10020
877-794-8037 or 212-757-5944; fax: 212-262-6116
www.myswitzerland.com
(c)

Celebration days: Jul 10, 2011; Jul 8, 2012; Jul 14, 2013; Jul 13, 2014; Jul 12, 2015