Appenzell Castle

Appenzell Castle is located in the municipality of Appenzell, Switzerland, and was built in the mid-16th century by local inhabitants during the period of the Protestant Reformation. The castle’s construction began in 1561 and was completed by 1563 under the direction of Antoni Löw, a prosperous physician known for his strong support of the Reformation movement in the Appenzell region.

Following its completion, the castle became closely linked to the religious tensions of the era. Antoni Löw, the original builder, was executed by local Catholic opponents on December 19, 1584, after being accused of defaming a Catholic priest. As a consequence, the city confiscated the property and handed it over to the Franciscan religious order.

The Franciscan community occupied the castle for nearly a century. In 1682, they moved out to a newly erected convent nearby, named Maria zum Engel (St. Mary of the Angels), situated adjacent to the castle. After the Franciscans vacated the premises, the property was sold to Antoni Speck, who held it until his death in 1708. Ownership then transferred to Johann Baptist Fortunat Sutter, initiating the continued possession of the castle by the Sutter family.

In 1875, Dr. Anton Alfred Sutter became the sole owner and transformed part of the castle into his medical office. This adaptation influenced the castle’s local nickname, commonly referred to as the “Doctor’s House.” The castle remains under the ownership of the Sutter family and has been officially recognized as a Swiss cultural property of national importance, reflecting its enduring historical and cultural significance.