Time Zone |
Europe/Zurich |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
Time Zone |
Europe/Sarajevo |
Standard Time GMT / UTC |
UTC+1 |
Daylight Saving Time |
UTC+2 |
Herisau is the capital of the canton of Appenzell Outer Rhoden in northeastern Switzerland. It is located in the hilly region south of St. Gallen and has a population of about 15,000 people. One of the smallest cantonal capitals in Switzerland, its history dates back to the 9th century and it is known for its traditional textile industry and idyllic Alpine foothills.
Herisau was the center of the Swiss cotton textile industry in the 18th and 19th centuries, and retains much of the architectural heritage of the Industrial Revolution, such as the red-brick factory buildings and the waterwheel workshop. Today, the economy is based on precision manufacturing, medical technology and tourism, and the annual Appenzell Folklore Festival attracts many visitors to experience the traditional culture of the region.
The city is surrounded by gently sloping pastures and forests, and hiking trails lead up to the 2,500-meter Sentis peak. Landmarks include the baroque town hall, the textile museum and traditional wooden houses with painted facades. The old democratic tradition of the "Cantonal Square Gathering" still exists in the area and is a window on Switzerland's direct democracy.
With close rail connections to Zurich (1 hour away) and St. Gallen, Herisau combines rural tranquillity with urban convenience. Visitors can sample Appenzell's specialty herbal cheeses, visit the family brewery or take part in the seasonal Alpine shepherds' festival.
Rogatica is a town in the eastern part of Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH), part of the entity of Republika Srpska, located in the Drina River valley about 60 kilometers east of Sarajevo. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by mountains, at an altitude of about 500 meters above sea level, and has a temperate continental climate with cold and snowy winters and mild, wet summers.
Rogatica has a long history, first documented in the 14th century, and developed as a trading hub during the Ottoman period. The city retains its 16th-century Ottoman bridges, mosques and traditional stone buildings, and is characterized by a combination of Balkan and Eastern cultures. The city was severely damaged during the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina (1992-1995), but was gradually rebuilt after the war, and today the mainstay of the economy is forestry, animal husbandry and small-scale industry.
Rogatica is surrounded by magnificent natural beauty and is close to the Sutjeska National Park (one of the last virgin forests in Europe) and the famous Drina River Gorge. Visitors can explore war memorial sites, hike mountain trails, or experience the folk culture of traditional villages. The town has a population of about 11,000 (2013 data) and is connected to Sarajevo's border with Serbia by the M5 highway, making it an important stopover for exploring the nature and history of eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina.