Rapperswil - Wattwil (8a)
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St. Gallus Church St. Gallenkappel
The description below follows the Way of St. James (No. 4 on the light green stickers, without dark blue border).
In Neuhaus, we take a look into the St. James Chapel. The chapel has existed since the Middle Ages. Here, the above-mentioned path from Schmerikon joins our path.
On the Ricken Pass summit
In St. Gallenkappel stands the parish church where as early as the 9th century a chapel dedicated to St. Gall was built, which gave the place its name.
Shortly before Wattwil we pass the former Capuchin nuns' monastery, built in 1621. Today the "Fazenda da Esperança" operates there, a shared living community for young people in difficult situations.
Wattwil was a significant center of the textile industry in the 19th and early 20th century and the vocational school is still an internationally recognized competence center of the Swiss textile industry.
Anmerkungen
Today's stage is entirely on the Way of St. James. It leads over the Ricken Pass to Wattwil, a former metropolis of the textile industry. For the first time, we go uphill today.
Tipp des Autors
Alternative recommended Stage 8b from Tuggen to Wattwil.
Orte entlang des Weges
From Rapperswil we follow the Way of St. James (light green sticker with No. 4 on the signposts. We follow the side without dark blue border).
The signage is quite clear and good, so we can rely on it without any problems.
Up to the Ricken Pass height, we overcome about 500 meters of altitude, but on pleasantly walkable paths.
In the 11th century, a first mule track connection between St. Gallen and Uznach was created over the Ricken. Until 1918, a stagecoach line ran over the pass. With the railway tunnel under the Ricken, the pass route lost importance.
Shortly before arriving at the stage town Wattwil, we pass Iberg Castle from the 13th century.