Trogen, Municipality in Appenzell Ausserrhoden, Switzerland
Trogen is a municipality in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden in northeastern Switzerland, officially recognized as a townscape worthy of protection. It sits on a hillside at the northern foot of Gäbris mountain, surrounded by farmland and patches of forest.
The name Trogen first appeared in writing in 1168 as Trugin, a word derived from the local term for water troughs or fountains that once marked the settlement. After the region split into two half-cantons in 1597, Trogen became the administrative center of Appenzell Ausserrhoden.
The village square in Trogen is lined with the Zellweger Palaces, a row of grand mansions built by a single wealthy merchant family during the 18th and 19th centuries. This unexpected sight gives the small town a grandeur that surprises most visitors.
Trogen is easy to reach by the Appenzell railway from St. Gallen, with the ride taking around 25 minutes through open countryside. The center is compact and walkable, and the slopes of Gäbris nearby offer trails for those who want to extend their visit on foot.
Trogen is home to the Pestalozzi Children's Village, an international community founded just after World War II where children from different countries were brought together to live and study side by side. The foundation is still active in the village today.
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