Wildkirchli

The Wildkirchli consists of three caves and below the Ebenalp in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden. It belongs to Alpstein.

History

In these caves have been found prehistoric remains of cave people like worked stones, tools and bones in 1904 by the St. Gallen scientist Emil Baechler ( 1868-1950 ). These can be in the time of 50,000 to 30,000 BC date and prove that Neanderthals were already present at the time of the Alpsteinarea Mountains. The facts made ​​the Wildkirchli world famous. In addition to these finds were discovered traces of cave bears that already lived in the caves from 90,000 BC. The finds are now on display in a 1972 nachgebauen hermit cottage in Wildkirchli, but also in the Museum Appenzell.

The caves

• One of the three caves, was converted by hermits who lived in the caves from 1658 to 1853 in a cave altar, which still bears witness to the piety of the hermit and where today celebrated fairs.
• In a second cave the hermit lived during the summer.
• In the third cave today is the guest Aescher.

Altar cave

Belfry

Mountain inn Aescher

The Wildkirchli with the chapel of St. Michael is on the list of cultural property of national significance in the canton of Appenzell Innerrhoden.