St. Maurice's Day

The next dates

• 2026Tuesday, 22 September
• 2027Wednesday, 22 September
• 2028Friday, 22 September

In which cantons is St. Maurice's Day a holiday?

• 1cantoncantonal rest day
• 25cantonsnot a holiday

Origin

22 September is the feast of St. Maurice, patron saint of the parish church of Appenzell. Abbot Norbert of St. Gallen founded the church in 1071 and dedicated it to St. Maurice. According to tradition, Maurice was the leader of the Theban Legion and was martyred in Agaunum, today's Saint-Maurice in Valais. The day is a cantonal rest day in the inner part of the canton.

Sources: Kanton Appenzell Innerrhoden: 1071 Gründung der Pfarrei St. Mauritius

What the three types mean

Public holiday

Treated like a Sunday (Art. 20a Labour Act). Employees have the day off.

Cantonal rest day

Public rest day under cantonal law, e.g. shops are closed. Under employment law it is a working day.

Customary day off

Not a public holiday, but many employers give the day off. Your employment contract decides whether you are off.