Niederhelfenschwil
Niederhelfenschwil is a municipality in the canton of St. Gallen in Switzerland.
It consists of the villages Niederhelfenschwil, Lenggenwil and Dietenwil. The name of the village is considered to be the longest name of all Swiss communities.
The community
The municipality is located on a plateau north of the Thur between the ancient cities Wil ( SG) and Bischofszell (TG ). The area was subject to the cantonal founding the Prince Abbot of the monastery of St. Gall. The three villages: Niederhelfenschwil, Lenggenwil and Dietenwil belong to the political community Niederhelfenschwil. They are serviced by a bus connection from the train stations of Uzwil and Wil. Rural settlements and larger forest areas characterize the former drumlin landscape. Many new residential buildings have changed in recent years, the strong architectural character.
Jobs and training courses offer numerous SME businesses. Stores in all three villages provide basic services.
Each of the three villages has a nursery and a primary school. In the central school building Sproochbrugg the high school students are taught (together with the neighboring community Zuzwil ). A very active social life provides opportunities for youth development, sports, music, culture and entertainment.
The three villages of the municipality
Niederhelfenschwil
The village Niederhelfenschwil ( hamlet of Helfotes ), which gives the name of the whole church and houses the local government is located in the east of the district, bordering the canton of Thurgau. In the center of the village stands the Baroque parish church ( 1786). It is one of the most beautiful religious buildings in rural eastern Switzerland and we referred to as " small cathedral of the diocese ." West of the village on the edge of Hohrainswaldes and Oberbürer municipality the convent Glattburg lies with its unique Rococo church. South below the village there is a meditative Hamlet, the Kobesenmühle. There lived and worked, the artist and philosopher Wilhelm Lehmann ( 1884-1974 ). His life's work is open to the public in the exhibition of the old mill.
Dietenwil
The village twitching reed ( reed of Zucko ) located in the northern part of the municipality. High above the village stands the Dietenwil Castle ( Spiegelberg ) a powerful timber house with distinctive hipped roof. It is first mentioned in 1100 and was owned by the family of the Loew Zuckenriet. The present building and the Gothic castle chapel date from the 15th century. The castle is privately owned. On the trail from the castle to hamlet Dietenwil the spectator opens the entire territory of the princely state and further from the mountains of Vorarlberg to Alpstein up in the Glarus Alps.
Lenggenwil
The village owes its name Lenggenwil also a Alemanni, the settlers Linko. The descendants bequeathed his estate 903 the monastery of St. Gall. The small Baroque church and rectory, the striking shape the village. Remains of the former glaciers are still visible in several small marshes outside the village. Lenggenwil has made in recent years with its theater and outdoor performances a name and the annual carnival procession attracts thousands of visitors. Active youth and village associations behind these big events.
Dietenwil from the air
Niederhelfenschwil in 1938