World's largest Swiss flag returns for national day

The giant Swiss flag will once again be displayed on the face of the Säntis mountain for the August 1 festivities. After failing to make an appearance last year due to bad weather, the huge flag, measuring 6,400 square meters and weighing more than 700 kilograms, will be unfurled along the mountain's north slope on July 31 at 10:30 a.m. Everything will, however, depend on weather conditions, according to the Säntis Bahn company, which operates the ski lift. The Säntis mountain is shared by the two cantons of Appenzell and the canton of St. Gallen. Last year it was not possible to display the spectacular flag because of strong gusts of wind. Installing the flag requires the intervention of many people for whom complete safety must always be ensured. The initiative is repeated every year to celebrate the national holiday, and in clear weather, the Swiss cross on a red background is visible from much of eastern Switzerland. The giant Swiss flag was first unfurled on the mountain's ...