Ricken

State :

Switzerland

Canton :

Canton of St. Gallen (SG)

Constituency :

See-Gaster
Toggenburg

Political community :

Gommiswald
Wattwil

Postal code :

8726

Coordinates :

721 505 / 235926 coordinates: 47 ° 15 '47 " N , 9 ° 2' 39" O ; CH1903: 721,505 / 235926

Height :

780 m above sea level M.

Website:

www.ricken.ch

Ricken village

map

Ricken is a Swiss place at 800 m above sea level. M. on the Rickenpass in the canton of St. Gallen .

Politically, Ricken is divided into two parts. The western part including the village center belongs to the municipality of Gommiswald , the eastern part including the church to the municipality of Wattwil . There are some businesses in the village itself.

geography

The village of Ricken lies on the pass of the same name between Wattwil and Neuhaus or Wattwil and Gommiswald . The Rickenbach flows through the village. To the west of the village lies the high moor breakthrough .

history

The name Ricken is mentioned for the first time in 1471, after the Toggenburg and Ricken were assigned to the prince abbey of St.Gallen . Although there has been evidence of traffic over the Ricken since the 8th century, negotiations on the construction of a cart road were not started until 1653. The two parties, St.Gallen and Schwyz , who had control of Uznach and Gaster at the time, could not come to an agreement. The Toggenburg War also failed to bring an agreement. It was not until 1786, when the Toggenburg Council decided to build a wagon road over the Ricken, that it was quiet.

At the same time, in 1783, the construction of a church began, which significantly improved the pastoral care of the scattered farming families. Thanks to the new road, the rest and overnight business began to flourish. The steadily growing transport needs prompted the Rapperswil residents to build a new country road from Rapperswil to Wattwil in 1826 . The village of Ricken was built where the two main streets crossed. Eight restaurants and inns were in and around Ricken. The well-developed roads enabled the stagecoach to be brisk, which in 1835 even carried more passengers than the St.Gallen – Zurich railway line.

At the beginning of the 20th century, the planning of a railway line from Wattwil to Rapperswil began. Rickner's initial hopes for a railway line over the Ricken were destroyed with the Rickentunnel from Wattwil to Kaltbrunn. The era of the stagecoach was over because of the new tunnel. The Uznach – Gommiswald – Ricken – Wattwil post bus line ensured that residents were connected to public transport. In addition to the restaurants, a modest commercial activity with sandstones and peat developed. Agriculture remained the main source of income.

religion

The Ricken is a predominantly Catholic village, with a Catholic church and an independent parish. This parish has always been an important part of the feeling of togetherness of the politically divided village population.

school

In the village there is a school house for the kindergarten level as well as for the lower level. The intermediate level is taught in the Schönenberg schoolhouse, while the upper level and secondary schools are attended in Wattwil.

traffic

Ricken is located on Hauptstrasse 8 at the culmination point of the Ricken Pass . From Ricken, the main road 427 Ricken - Kaltbrunn - Reichenburg branches off. The bus routes Wattwil - Eschenbach - Rapperswil and Uznach - Gommiswald - Ricken lead to Ricken.

Tourism and sightseeing

The local recreation area Ricken is known for its hiking areas and for the Egg-Ricken toboggan run and in winter for cross-country skiing. The Schwinger Association Rapperswil and environment conducts an annual traditional fabrics wrestling.