Toggenburg valley
Location
The Toggenburg region of Switzerland lies in the middle of the canton of St Gallen, just one hour’s drive from Zurich airport and from Lake Constance (known as the “Bodensee” in Switzerland). The twin valleys of the Thur and Neckertal rivers offer a perfect blend of conditions for living, working and well-being. The beautiful environment and wide range of educational, recreational and cultural possibilities come together to offer a very high quality of life.
The land and its people
The Toggenburg valley is over 60 Km (about 37 miles) long and stretches in a south-easterly direction from the town of Wil to the town of Wildhaus. This idyllic “Voralpen” (at the base of the alps) region is dotted with small villages and settlements. Toggenburg has over 30 such towns and villages, some large and others that consist of just a few houses. Most of these have retained their original charms but vary widely in their location, accessibility and facilities for tourists. Toggenburg is an area of hills, mountains, pastures and alpine meadows. The valley, at the foot of the seven jagged peaks of the Churfirsten mountain ridge, is dominated by dairy farming. Hundreds of cows graze contentedly on the lush meadows.
Traditional handcrafts also form a large part of the local economy. The timber industry is particularly important and businesses of all sizes offer a wide range of employment.
Commerce
The Toggenburg region has plenty of space for businesses of all sizes. The region benefits from a very good public transport infrastructure, a highly-qualified workforce and reasonably priced housing. The companies already established in Toggenburg can deliver everything from daily necessities all the way up to high-tech products. Access to a comprehensive system of education facilities, a high standard of living in a rural environment and unlimited access to comprehensive recreational facilities round out the commercial benefits. Many national and international companies can already attest to the significant benefits of locating their facilities in the Toggenburg region.
Tourism
The classic tourist destinations of Wildhaus, Unterwasser and Alt St. Johan lie in upper Toggenburg, at an altitude of between 900 and 1’000 meters (2’950 to 3’300 feet) in the high valley between the peaks of the Säntis and the Churfirsten. Cable cars link the Churfirsten to the neighbouring peak of the Chäserugg at a lofty height of 2’262 meters (7’400 feet). In summer, an inviting network of trails and paths awaits walkers of all abilities and in winter, the snowy slopes with many lifts offer a huge and exciting variety of winter sport activities. Toggenburg is also the first holiday region in all of Switzerland that offers unhindered access so that handicapped persons can also enjoy their holidays.
Culture
Toggenburg is the main cultural region of the canton of St. Gallen. The wide range of cultural activities and events on offer is much greater than average for a rural region and is also extremely varied. This can be seen from the great creativity and openness of the people of the area. Culture in Toggenburg is both strongly rooted in the traditions of the area whilst also embracing modern arts; traditional folk music has its place here alongside jazz, rock-pop, classical concerts, country music, cabaret, readings and theatre, presented on small stages or at theme evenings. Artists of every type live and bring their works to life in Toggenburg. This rich variety brings extra life to the villages. Many museums in the region – from the model railway museum to the “Zwinglihaus” – also bear witness to the thriving Toggenburg cultural landscape.
Since 2003, activities that reflect the most important forms of musical culture of the area between the Säntis and Churfirsten peaks of eastern Switzerland have also been on offer, grouped under the name “KlangWelt” (world of sound); yodelling, “Alpsegen”, (a traditional sung prayer honouring the bounty of the alps), “Schellen” (bells) as an element of alpine culture and also the “Hackbrett” (dulcimer) as a naturally-tuned string instrument in dance music. KlangWelt Toggenburg offers a rich variety of experiences with a theme of sound; in various courses, on the “Klangweg” (path of sound), at festivals and in concerts, in the “Klangschmiede” (sound smithy) and also soon in the “Klanghaus” house of sound on the small “Schwendisee” alpine lake.
Culinary specialities
Alongside the excellent living, leisure and working conditions, Toggenburg also offers many culinary specialities that reflect the values of the communities of the valley. “Simple and honest” is the motto here. There’s no place in Toggenburg for food that substitutes fancy preparation for honest goodness! In this region, you eat well and heartily. Specialities such as “Schlorzifladen” (a delicious sweet flan) and “Bloderkäse” (creamy cheese with horseradish spread on bread) are favourites over the whole region. There’s also an especially wide palette of cheeses of every sort, some of which are revered by gourmets throughout the world.
