The BÄRLI Story
Between 1550 and 1600, during a time when the world was still shaped by craftsmanship and traditions, the Bärli came into existence. This single-story house, with its wooden structure proudly resting on a masonry base, began its story.
In 1841, as the steam engine started to change the world, the Bärli also underwent a significant transformation. It was not yet an inn but a dairy, a place where milk matured into cheese. Its main facade was designed and paneled in the Biedermeier style. The upper and attic floors slightly jutted out, and the rows of windows along with the semi-circular gable window looked out like watchful eyes into the world.
The Sitter Bridge in Appenzell, which connected the village and the community, was rebuilt after every major flood. Particularly memorable was the flood of 1750, which destroyed the bridge chapel. However, the new Metzibrücke bridge, built in 1845, withstood the devastating flood of 1846. The storm ruined around 2000 cheese wheels. It was a year no one would forget. Anton Knechtle, the owner of the Bärli at that time, donated a plaque in memory of the 1846 flood. It depicted Saint Christopher, a protector of travelers. The image symbolized protection and remembrance of the bridge chapel swept away by the 1750 flood, whose foundations with a small round choir are reportedly preserved in the front garden.
When the Gaiserstrasse was built from 1852 to 1853, it lay considerably higher than the Bärli. In 1855, the Bärli transformed into a smithy, a place where fire and iron met.
From 1924 to 2022—almost a century—the Bärli was owned by the Nisple family, who ran a renowned fish restaurant until 2012. The Bärli was not only a meeting place for the villagers but also attracted famous guests from all over Switzerland. Politicians, artists, and writers found a refuge here where they could dine in peace. Such a long legacy speaks for the quality and reputation of the restaurant.
When the Nisple family bid farewell to their beloved Bärli, it was not the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter. In March 2022, the Eisenring family took over the Bärli. With respect for the past and an eye on the future, they began renovating the Bärli. For over two years, they hammered, painted, and polished. The Eisenring family took care to preserve the character and soul of the Bärli while equipping it with modern amenities and a fresh yet traditional ambiance. Today, the Bärli is no longer a restaurant but a charming holiday apartment. The upper floor remains reserved for the Eisenring family, and the ground floor awaits discovery. Whether for a relaxing short break or a longer stay, the apartment offers the perfect retreat.
Thus, the Bärli tells its story, not with words, but with the traces it has left over the centuries. It stands as a witness to time, a reminder of transience, and proof of endurance. Become part of the Bärli story.
Source: Object description from the inventory sheet of buildings and groups of buildings worth protecting by the fire inspection community of Appenzell
The Sitter Bridge in Appenzell, which connected the village and the community, was rebuilt after every major flood. Particularly memorable was the flood of 1750, which destroyed the bridge chapel. However, the new Metzibrücke bridge, built in 1845, withstood the devastating flood of 1846. The storm ruined around 2000 cheese wheels. It was a year no one would forget. Anton Knechtle, the owner of the Bärli at that time, donated a plaque in memory of the 1846 flood. It depicted Saint Christopher, a protector of travelers. The image symbolized protection and remembrance of the bridge chapel swept away by the 1750 flood, whose foundations with a small round choir are reportedly preserved in the front garden.
When the Gaiserstrasse was built from 1852 to 1853, it lay considerably higher than the Bärli. In 1855, the Bärli transformed into a smithy, a place where fire and iron met.
From 1924 to 2022—almost a century—the Bärli was owned by the Nisple family, who ran a renowned fish restaurant until 2012. The Bärli was not only a meeting place for the villagers but also attracted famous guests from all over Switzerland. Politicians, artists, and writers found a refuge here where they could dine in peace. Such a long legacy speaks for the quality and reputation of the restaurant.
When the Nisple family bid farewell to their beloved Bärli, it was not the end of an era but the beginning of a new chapter. In March 2022, the Eisenring family took over the Bärli. With respect for the past and an eye on the future, they began renovating the Bärli. For over two years, they hammered, painted, and polished. The Eisenring family took care to preserve the character and soul of the Bärli while equipping it with modern amenities and a fresh yet traditional ambiance. Today, the Bärli is no longer a restaurant but a charming holiday apartment. The upper floor remains reserved for the Eisenring family, and the ground floor awaits discovery. Whether for a relaxing short break or a longer stay, the apartment offers the perfect retreat.
Thus, the Bärli tells its story, not with words, but with the traces it has left over the centuries. It stands as a witness to time, a reminder of transience, and proof of endurance. Become part of the Bärli story.
Source: Object description from the inventory sheet of buildings and groups of buildings worth protecting by the fire inspection community of Appenzell