Säntis transmitter

The Säntis transmitter is a 123.5-meter steel tower at the peak of Säntis mountain that distributes radio and television signals across multiple Swiss regions. The facility broadcasts both audio and video content to serve homes and businesses throughout the surrounding areas.

Telecommunications at this location started in 1955 with a wooden antenna structure that met early broadcasting needs. The current tower was built in 1997 to replace the older installation with a more modern and efficient facility.

The transmitter marks a meeting point where three cantons converge: Appenzell Innerrhoden, St. Gallen, and Appenzell Ausserrhoden. For locals and visitors, this location serves as a tangible boundary between different regional identities.

The transmitter is visible from the mountain station and sits at an exposed peak with open views in all directions. Poor weather can reduce visibility and bring strong winds to the summit, so clear conditions provide the best experience for visitors.

The tower is struck by lightning more than 100 times each year, making it one of Switzerland's most frequently lightning-struck structures. This extreme exposure reveals just how vulnerable the peak location is to atmospheric electricity.

Location: Appenzell Innerrhoden

Location: canton St. Gallen

Location: Appenzell Ausserrhoden

Inception: 1997

GPS coordinates: 47.24940,9.34266

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:03