Oberhelfenschwil offers several ways to explore local history: early references to its name and land ownership, two castles and a church protected by the canton. There is also the cultural trail, a landscape of national importance and the Kneipp facilities. This allows you to distinguish between the cultural and landscape features that may be relevant when choosing where to stay.
Local History in the Toggenburg Region
Oberhelfenschwil is a locality in the political municipality of Neckertal in the Toggenburg region of the canton of St. Gallen. It was an independent municipality until 2022. Alemanni settled the area early on; Oberhelfenschwil was documented as “Helfoltiswilare” in 882 and as “Oberhelfenschwil” in 1515. This sequence of names traces the development from an early form to the later spelling of the place name. The Prince-Abbey of St. Gallen, the Counts of Toggenburg and the Abbey of Alt St. Johann held land in Oberhelfenschwil. The locality’s history therefore encompasses both early settlement and name references, as well as the landholdings of several ecclesiastical and secular parties.
Neutoggenburg and RĂĽdberg
Neutoggenburg Castle is a large archaeological site with several systems of ramparts and ditches. It was first mentioned in 1270, and its foundation is attributed to the Counts of Toggenburg. RĂĽdberg Castle was first mentioned in 1271 and was the seat of the ministeriales of RĂĽdberg, who served the Abbey of St. Gall. The first mentions of the two castles are therefore just one year apart. Each offers a different focus: Neutoggenburg is notable for the size and archaeological features of the site, while RĂĽdberg is notable for its historical role as the seat of a named group. The two sites thus offer different perspectives on the past.
Church and Cultural Trail
The Paritätische Kirche Oberhelfenschwil (Oberhelfenschwil Paritarian Church) is a site protected by the canton. Its oldest parts date from the 13th or 14th century. An old Marian bell from 1501 is on display in a small tower by the church. The building’s history and the date of the bell highlight different periods: the oldest parts date back to the Middle Ages, while the bell bears a specific year.
The Oberhelfenschwil Cultural Trail starts in the middle of the village by the Volg supermarket and is signposted throughout with brown cultural trail signs. Check the signposting on site if conditions have changed.
Landscape and Kneipp Facilities
Oberhelfenschwil lies within BLN site 1414, “Thur Landscape between Lichtensteig and Schwarzenbach,” a landscape of national importance. The locality is at 798 m above sea level, and its elevation ranges from 575 to 1,099 m above sea level. This adds a landscape perspective on the locality to the history of individual buildings and archaeological sites.
The Neckertal Kneipp Trails comprise two circular trails with several Kneipp stations in Hemberg and Oberhelfenschwil, a hedge nature trail and an orchard. Alongside the castles and church, these offer further options to consider when planning your trip: Kneipp stations, the hedge nature trail and the orchard. You can tailor your stay to the area’s cultural and landscape features.
Discover more destinations: Nesslau-Krummenau, Stein, Mogelsberg, Wattwil, Ganterschwil, Lichtensteig, Alt Sankt Johann, BĂĽtschwil
For the broader travel overview: Toggenburg.
