Stein am Rhein
Our insider tip: Stein am Rhein is one of the best-preserved medieval small towns in Switzerland – and is picturesquely located at the transition from Untersee to Hochrhein.
The first traces of settlement were already left by the Romans, of whose fort remains still exist on the left bank of the Rhine. In 1007, the settlement of the monastery of St. Georgen ensured that the fishing village developed into a flourishing market and trading town. Today, Stein am Rhein impresses with its pretty old town, which is characterized by an ensemble of medieval buildings worth seeing with eye-catching bay windows and colorful facade paintings.
In and around Stein am Rhein, there are a variety of leisure options - whether it's a visit to the monastery of St. Georgen, a nightwatchman tour, a coffee in the quaint town hall square, a tasting at a local winery, a hike to Hohenklingen Castle or a boat trip to the Rhine Falls near Schaffhausen.
Sights
The splendid town hall square is the center of the old town with its restored town houses and ornately painted facades and beautifully decorated bay windows. The facade paintings have biblical or historical motifs. Just a stone's throw away is the Schifflände, which served as a goods transfer point in front of the closed city wall in the Middle Ages and is now served by Rhine ships.
The former abbey is one of the most beautiful medieval monastery complexes in Switzerland. Built at the beginning of the 11th century, it contributed significantly to the development of the village. Today, the well-preserved complex houses a museum that vividly conveys the history of the monastery. A tour provides insights into the banqueting hall with its murals, the abbeys and the monastery garden.
Learn more about the monastery of St. Georgen.
Located almost 200 meters above the town center, the castle still presents its 13th century appearance. It can be visited and offers culinary delights in the castle's own restaurant. A lift built into the mountain facilitates access from the parking lot.
Find out more about Castle Hohenklingen.
The small island is the main island of the island group Im Werd, which is located not far from Stein am Rhein at the transition of the Untersee into the Rhine. On Werd, a chapel was built in the 10th century in memory of Saint Otmar. The island developed into a place of pilgrimage and is now inhabited by Franciscan monks. It is connected to the mainland by a 200-meter pedestrian bridge (from the direction of Eschenz) and is freely accessible.
Learn more about the monastic island of Werd.
