Stone at the Rhein - Stein am Rhein

Stone at the Rhein is a Swiss Small town in the canton Schaffhausen. It is located at the western end of the Untersee (western part of the Lake Constance) and at the beginning of the High Rhine. Together with the municipalities of Buch, Hemishofen and Ramsen, Stein am Rhein forms an exclave in the so-called 'upper part of the canton'. The name comes from a huge gneiss rock formerly located on the nearby Werd Islands.

history

Like all places along the Rhine, the history of Stein am Rhein is shaped by its location on the river. Archaeological finds in the form of pile dwellings on the island of 'Werdli' and at the level of the Wagenhausen Church prove that the area was settled in the 5th millennium BC. By farmers and fishermen. The Romans later penetrated this area and as a result a first market town emerged in neighboring Eschenz. Because of the incessant Alemanni raids, the Tasgetium fort was built around the year 300 AD under Emperor Diocletian on the hill on the left bank of the Rhine in what is now the 'Vor der Brugg' district. This fortification belonged to the Rhine / Iller / Danube Limes and was part of the Roman imperial border. It was connected to the unpopulated north bank by a stone bridge.

After the Romans withdrew, the Allemanns took over the fort and the surrounding area. In the 6th century the church of St. Johann was built on this site, which is also called 'auf Burg' because of its location within the fort.

Due to the rich finds around the fort, later also on the right bank of the Rhine, the area of ​​Stein am Rhein is one of the most archaeologically important places in Europe.

Decisive for the development of the actual city on the right bank of the Rhine was its location on a highly frequented waterway and an equally important country road. Stein am Rhein received an additional positive impulse from the relocation of the Benedictine monastery of St. Georgen by King Heinrich II with its extensive possessions and rights (including the right to mint and market) from Hohentwiel in 1007 the place developed from a fishing and farming village into a lively trading and trading center. The first guardians who exercised customs law and jurisdiction at the same time were probably the dukes of Zähringen, who were replaced by the barons of Klingen, who gave Hohenklingen their name.

Between the 11th and 14th centuries, Stein am Rhein developed into a flourishing market and trading center with a strong rural and artisanal influence and formed the first urban constitutional structures.

Through an unbelievable financial show of strength, the city succeeded in 1457 in buying all of their rights and property in and around Stein am Rhein from the heavily indebted castle bailiffs for the sum of 24,500 guilders. In 1459, however, the now imperial-free city had to enter into a protection and defensive alliance for a period of 25 years in view of the Austrian threat Schaffhausen and Zurich and thus achieved partial affiliation with the Swiss Confederation.

As a result, however, it came more and more under the suzerainty of the powerful Zurichthat wanted to secure its northern border through its influence. The Reformation and the associated abolition of the monastery, whose possessions were henceforth administered by Zurich, strengthened this bond. Efforts to become through acquisitions (1457/1468 Vor der Brugg, 1539 Ramsen, 1575 Wagenhausen and the surrounding area) and thus to liberate it as a city republic with subject lands, failed. Nevertheless, the city was able to maintain its position as a trading and market place, at least for the time being.

The first crises set in in the 17th century and never stopped completely. Disputes about sovereign rights between Zurich and the Thurgau governor on the one hand, losses in trade in favor of Schaffhausen and Constancy on the other hand, hampered the further development of Stein am Rhein. The situation finally changed for the worse with the collapse of the Old Confederation in 1798. Here, too, as in the city Schaffhausen, the passage of French and Allied troops during the Second Coalition War (see also Napoleonic Wars) led to the impoverishment of the population and finally to the destruction of the Rhine bridge in 1799.

Allocated to the canton of Schaffhausen in 1803, the city lost its lucrative manorial rights almost overnight; Above all, the impairment of their position as a market and trading center through the loss of the Great Customs turned out to be devastating. In addition, the trade routes shifted to other means of transport and routes. The city also missed the timely connection to the railroad. This came only in 1875 (Winterthur) and 1895 (Schaffhausen).

Initial efforts to locate industrial companies were initially unsuccessful and economic difficulties grew. The first tentative progress was only made by the next generation of entrepreneurs, who settled in the east of the city at the end of the 19th and early 20th centuries. These companies proved to be tough and resilient, so most of them still exist today. During this period of upswing, tourism also joined the industry, although it quickly came to a standstill again during the two world wars. It was not until the 1950s, at the time of the economic miracle, that it developed into the important factor that it still represents today. In addition, the place has established itself since the 1970s through targeted economic promotion as a location, including some well-known high-tech companies.

Of course, the face of Stein am Rhein has changed over the past 40 years. Thanks to the forward-looking building regulations of 1955, however, the development of the single-family housing estates on the slopes of the Klingen and on the left bank of the Rhine could be realized without affecting the historical character of the townscape. For this, the municipality received the 1972 Wakker Prize.

getting there

By plane

As in most cases for destinations in Northern Switzerland, the nearest airport to travel to Stein am Rhein is Zurich-Kloten Airport. From here you have the option of using the Winterthur transfer station to reach Stein am Rhein train station within 1 - 1½ hours or you can use the counter of one of the international car rental companies that are closed here.

By train / by bus

Stone at the Rhein is on the railway line Schaffhausen - Stone at the Rhein - Steckborn - Kreuzlingen (on the Swiss side of the Rhine at Constancy) - Romanshorn - St. Gallen, which run every half hour with modern multiple units of the Thurbo The served line is known for its beautiful lines and the long travel time caused by frequent stops. From Stein is Schaffhausen with the S8 Reached in 30 minutes with the direct trains of the S29 Winterthur can be reached "through the hinterland" in 45 minutes, St. Gallen with the "Thurbo" / S8 in 90 minutes and Zurich over Frauenfeld (Postbus) or Schaffhausen in an hour and a quarter. Stein am Rhein is part of the OSTWIND tariff association.
The 47.65618.85511 railway station is located south of the Rhine in the "vor der Brugg" district, a ten-minute walk to the town.

The one in the north To sing can take the bus SBG can be reached in a good thirty minutes, by train there is a detour Schaffhausen.

The area around the canton of Thurgau, south of the town, is dominated by the yellow Postbuses supplied, the line 825 wrong to Frauenfeld from where you can transfer to the other Postbus routes to numerous Thurgau destinations and the express train to Zurich.

In the street

Stone at the Rhein is very conveniently located in the middle of the main traffic axis Schaffhausen - Constance, which is often not so fast due to excursion traffic.

From the autobahn A1 from Bern - Zurich - St. Gallen can Stein am Rhein about the A4 from Winterthur-Nord can be reached, the partly two-lane, partly four-lane mini-highway (100 km / h) A4 is at the 6 Leave Flurlingen and take the main road that runs along the Rhine (still called Diessenhoferstrasse here) 13Schaffhausen - Constancy drove on.

Another route leads again over the A1 from Zurich to Interchange 73 (Winterthur-Ost) and from there via the A7 in the direction Constancy. Either from the end of the autobahn 7 Kreuzlingen-Nord the already mentioned main street 13 Direction Schaffhausen to use, or you drive off Frauenfeld-West on the main road over the "Seerücken" hill range.

In any case, the most attractive alternative is an overland trip Zurich wine country above Flat and Andelfingen in the direction Badgers and Feuerthalento turn there on the axis Schaffhausen - Constancy to poke. This is the most time-consuming, but visually and culinary most interesting way, because the most famous Zurich wines grow here and in the appropriate season you can, for example, enjoy fresh asparagus with it.

Out Germany one reaches Stone at the Rhein from the A81 to Singing (Hohentwiel) and from there through the city ( 41 Singing) or south through the industrial area ( 42 Hilzingen) and Rielasingen, the limit is at Ramsen customs office crossed. The local place names are exciting here, as the road first leads through Moscow and then Petersburg ...

By boat

Of course, Stein am Rhein can, as befits a Rhine community, during the summer months with the URh, the "Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein", with scheduled boats Schaffhausen and Constancy can be achieved.

By bicycle

• Rhine route - Swiss part of the Rhine cycle route
• Hochrhein-Hotzenwald-Weg part of Rhine Valley Path and the German part of the Rhine cycle route
• Lake Constance cycle path

Tourist Attractions

On the way to the place over the Rhine bridge, during the red light phase of the single-lane passage, you have the opportunity to catch a glimpse of the beauties with a brief look at the Rhine promenade. There are a few opportunities to get hold of a parking space at the town church. On the bypass north of the village and outside the former city walls, there is a fairly large parking lot, which is also suitable for social buses. From there you go through the Obertor and go down the Brodlaubegass. Even these few steps are impressive due to the many beautifully restored and carefully maintained house facades. One or the other gap that arose as a result of the Allied bombing, which was inadvertently carried out at the end of the Second World War, has been filled with modern architecture and is sometimes unpleasant.

Once in the Understadt, turn left to the Rathausplatz. No postmodern architects have ravaged here, but you can let every single facade painting affect you. An eye catcher is the dominant one town hall with its bell tower and the depiction of the Steiner contingent returning home victorious from the battle of Murten in 1476 on the left and that of a lesser-known story about a failed attack by the surrounding nobles on the city in 1478 on the right.

building

On the right, the eye falls almost automatically on that House "to the front crown", one of the most elegant houses from the 14th century with its steep half-timbered gable roof. The attached bay window dates from 1707.

The late baroque exterior painting from 1734 shows allegories and ornaments.

It says that on the opposite page House "Zum Weissen Adler", today a Innwhich has the oldest and most valuable facade painting in the style of the early Renaissance from 1520/30.

One recognizes medieval motifs such as Bocca della Verità, loyalty test, power and unity. There is also something erotic from Boccaccio's Decamerone.

A few steps further up in the upper town it says Citizens' asylum. Founded by the Benedictines as a hospital in 1362, it was transferred to the city in 1476, which then used it as a prison, sobering room and asylum for the poor, and from 1964 as a retirement and nursing home. A corresponding scene with life-size dolls is shown in the vestibule with its interesting wooden ceiling. Today it serves as a meeting and administrative center with inserted retirement apartments, city archives and the tourist information office.

Back on the town hall square, while slowly strolling towards the Understadt, you should now turn left House "to the red ox" Note, the oldest inn in the city (1446) with its full name with its Gothic facade, the artistically carved stone bay window and its wall painting dated 1615. The painting of the house is based on humanistic themes and is attributed to the Steiner master A. Schmucker.

Then that follows House "To the stone grapes" with its box bay from 1668 and the Joshua and Caleb with the large grape in the land where milk and honey flow (around 1900 C. Schmidt) depicting facade painting.

The is located at the intersection with the also named Schwarzhorngass House "to the black horn" (1476), the birthplace of Baron Johann Rudolf Schmid von Schwarzenhorn (* 1590, † 1667), a famous son of the city. The wall painting and the inscription point to the arrival of the Bürger zu Stein, Minister am Kaiser. Court of Vienna, envoy to the Sultan of Constantinople on February 27, 1664.

We continue down the Understadt along other splendid half-timbered houses on House and Museum 'Zum Lindwurm' the name of which refers to the fight between the city patron saint Georgs and the dragon in the direction of the rebuilt lower gate (also called the time tower) at the important passage from and to the Hegau, which was accidentally destroyed by American bombs in 1945. When you arrive at the gate, turn left, without overlooking the raised half-timbered house on the corner of the Fronhof, and turn into Choligass, down to the river.

The somewhat hidden one Thief and witch tower from the 16th century on the right, the entrance of which is 5 meters above the ground, is wrongly overlooked and strolls along the numerous garden restaurants on the promenade.

At the end of the walk, walk down the aforementioned Schwarzhorngass back up to the Rathausplatz.

In addition to this suggestion of a small city tour, there is of course the possibility of having the sights explained to you by a more professional body (City tours).

The recently restored one is also worth seeing Hohenklingen Castle, located above the town, with a restaurant.

The Rheinfels hotel complex, with its ocher paint and the balcony that extends far into the Rhine, is the second big eye-catcher after the church for anyone who enters or drives the old bridge over the Rhine should not go unmentioned at this point.

From the dock of the Rhine ships (Schiffländi) you can see the old provost's office in Wagenhausen on the other side of the Rhine, also well lit at night.

Close to the bridge on the right is the St. Georgen Monastery, built around 1000 with a cloister, the richly decorated barracks and the ballroom, which is now open as a museum. The town church, formerly serving the monastery, dates back to the 12th century Protestant.

If you want to delve deep into the history of the city, visit the Church of St. Johann auf Burg (oldest church in the canton of Schaffhausen) on the opposite side of the Rhine from the old town. The remains of a Roman fort and magnificent frescoes from around 1420 set the tone.

Museums

• 47.6594228.8600891  Crib world Stein am Rhein, Oberstadt 5, CH 8260 Stein am Rhein. Tel.: 41 (0)52 721 00 05, Email: [email protected]..The world of nativity scenes is located right behind the town hall in the oldest house in the city; between 500 and 700 nativity scenes are set up.last change: not specified

activities

• Visit of the 47.6605938.8584012 Lindheim Museum - Living around 1850 in a town house in the lower town. The arable bourgeoisie way of life typical of the 19th century is shown on 1,500 square meters - bourgeois living in the front building, agricultural activity in the rear building in a holistic representation. Awarded the European Museum Prize 1995.
• A walk to the 47.65568.866673 Island Werd, which can be reached in 30 minutes on foot from the old town of Stein along the left bank of the Rhine. Access is from the southern Rhine / resp. Shores of Lake Constance from the municipality of Eschenz. It's on the island 47.6551438.8670084 St Otmar's Chapelthat of Franciscans is inhabited. In the middle of winter you can walk from one island to the other with dry feet, walkers lay out a stone spiral there ("place of power" or just tradition?), Which can still be seen in the water from a boat in spring. The area around the island of Werd east of Stein am Rhein is a Breeding bird sanctuary in which numerous hibernating birds from the far north can be observed in winter.

• A Canoe trip on the Stein am Rhein - Schaffhausen route with your own or rented one canoe (or in the worst case, in the absence of a better alternative with the rubber boat) is a special attraction in midsummer Canoeing Switzerland, Rhine Canoe Route 70, all necessary information is available.
• with the Bike paths along the Untersee (on the Swiss side to Kreuzlingen - Konstanz, mostly off the main road), around the Mercy Lake (on the German side via Wangen - Radolfzell to Konstanz, round trip possible) or along the Rhine (on both sides, on the north side at Gailingen, incline through the forest, round trip possible), the area around Stein am Rhein can be explored excellently in the Don't forget your summer swimwear.
• in the Advent Season is Stein am Rhein with numerous stands each as "Fairytale town" (Fairytale town) together with the Hohenklingen Castle above the village.
• Cultural events, etc. of the international scholarship holders of the 47.6601088.8603961 Artist residence Chretzeturm, which is maintained by the Jakob and Emma Windler Foundation.

shop

In addition to the largest retailers, all branches of daily life are actually represented in Stein am Rhein. This link leads to an overview.

The major distributors 47.660958.861321 MigrosType is group designation and 47.653218.853242 Coop are both represented around Stein am Rhein and are of interest to self-caterers.

There is also a supermarket in the village of Wagenhausen.

Those who have to watch out for money and are not afraid of the path can also take the cycle path along the Rhine to Öhningen in Germany (about 3 km, Öhningerstraße). There is a discounter there, which is also used by Swiss citizens. The Sparkasse could also be of importance here, where you can stock up on francs free of charge on presentation of ID (in Switzerland, 3-5 francs obolus is required for this). The newly renovated monastery grounds in Öhningen are also worth a visit.

There are 2 ATMs of private banks and the post office near the train station in Stein am Rhein for cash supply.

kitchen

Generally speaking, the numerous restaurants throughout the city offer upscale, home-style cuisine, the prices of which can be described as moderate in view of the tourist importance of the place.

• Overview of all restaurants, cafes, etc., with a map

nightlife

In addition to the nocturnal city tours and from nature and the importance of this medieval city, as it were non-existent, in the "exit" one drives to Schaffhausen, Zurich or on the German side To sing or Constancy.

accommodation

A surprisingly wide range of offers for the size of the place from 4 star hotels to youth hostels to straw hotels awaits the interested visitor.

Cheap

47.6654388.8475771  Stein am Rhein Youth Hostel, Hemishoferstrasse 87. Tel.: 41 52 741 12 55, Fax: 41 52 741 51 40, Email: [email protected]. The campsite is located on the left bank in Wagenhausen, a little downstream.last change: not specified

47.6635528.8408452  Camping Wagenhausen, Hauptstrasse 82, 8259 Wagenhausen. Tel.: 41 52 741 42 71, Fax: 41 52 741 41 57, Email: [email protected]. with a tent meadow for hiking paddlers, 40 tourist and many permanent camper pitches, direct access to the water. (about 3km from the train station), swimming in the Rhine (stony).last change: not specified

• Overview of all accommodations

Practical advice

• 47.659358.859941  Tourist Service Tourist Office, Oberstadt 3, CH-8260 Stein am Rhein SH. Tel.: 41 52 742 20 90, Fax: 41 52 742 20 91, Email: [email protected]. last change: not specified

There is a public toilet at the Schiffslaendi, another at the lower gate.

As practically everywhere in Switzerland, public telephone booths are on the decline in favor of an excellent mobile network. However, such facilities are still available in post offices, restaurants and hotels.

Sending letters and postcards abroad is usually problem-free, of course depending on the foreign service provider. Throughout Europe, a standard letter (A5 format) or a postcard in the Economy Service costs CHF 1.20, other countries CHF 1.40. The 'Priority' standard letter costs CHF 1.30 within Europe, other countries CHF 1.80. It should be noted here that faster transport is only guaranteed up to the Swiss border, but the foreign carrier does not enter into any obligation in this regard.

trips

A worthwhile excursion destination is "the city of 171 bay windows" Schaffhausen. This culturally and historically significant city can be visited only around 10 km away, in around 30 minutes by car or train. A little further down the Rhine one reaches the imposing one Rhine Falls.

The medieval Rhine town is an ideal excursion destination from Stein am Rhein Diessenhofen downright on. Its history can be traced back to the year 757 and therefore has some architectural treasures. These include the old town as a unit, the sealing tower, the town church, Unterhof Castle and the covered Rhine bridge. For example, you can take the modern regional train, the Thurbo take place or comfortably with one of the Rhine ships of the line from the Schaffhausen shipyard.

The town on the Untersee is well worth a visit Steckborn, which can also be reached by train or scheduled boat.

From the town hall you can walk through picturesque vineyards to Hohenklingen Castle, with unique views of the city and the Rhine landscape guaranteed.

literature

• Hildegard Urner-Astholz: The church at Burg zu Stein am Rhein, a jewel of medieval painting. ISBN 978-3719311643 .
• Reinhard Frauenfelder: The art monuments of the canton of Schaffhausen: Volume II: The district of Stein am Rhein. ISBN 978-3906131337 .
• Markus Höneisen: Early history of the Stein am Rhein region: Archaeological research on the outflow of the Untersee. ISBN 978-3908006183 .

Web links

• http://www.steinamrhein.ch - Official website of Stein am Rhein
• Website of the Stein am Rhein tourism office
• Page about Stein from the cantonal tourist office¨
• Website of the Lindwurm Museum www.museum-lindwurm.ch
• Cultural events: www.kultur-windler-stiftung.ch
• Chretzeturm artist residency: www.chretzeturm.ch