Timber House Settlement

Werdenberg is the smallest town in Switzerland, a tiny medieval foundation on the edge of the Rhine valley in the canton of St. Gallen, with Liechtenstein just across the river. Its character comes almost entirely from wood. A single main street of timber houses runs along the foot of the castle hill, flanked by narrow lanes and backed by the shore of a small lake, the Werdenbergersee. Nothing here is large, which is exactly why the place feels so complete.

The houses are built in the traditional block and timber-frame styles of the region, and many of them date back several centuries. Their dark, weathered wood, deep eaves and small windows give the ensemble a distinctive look that has been protected as a cultural monument. Among them is the Schlangenhaus, a name that locals and visitors alike remember, and the street as a whole is treated as an architectural ensemble rather than as a collection of separate buildings. Many houses are still lived in, which means the settlement is a working village rather than a museum, so visitors should respect residents' privacy.

Above the houses, on a rocky knoll, stands Werdenberg Castle, once the seat of the counts of Werdenberg, a line connected with the counts of Montfort. The castle now belongs to the canton and is open to the public as a cultural and museum site, and it also houses information about the town and region. The climb up from the street is short, and the view over roofs, lake and valley makes it worthwhile.

A walk around the lake is the natural continuation of a visit. From the water's edge, the timber houses reflect in the surface in calm weather, and the castle rises behind them, a picture often used on postcards of eastern Switzerland. The wetland margins are also rich in bird life, and paths allow a gentle circuit.

Getting here is easy: the nearest rail connection is at Buchs in the Rhine valley, and from there a short walk or local bus brings you to the settlement. Combine the visit with a trip across the border to Vaduz, or with a hike in the hills above the valley, and the small town becomes a good half-day or full-day outing.