The Oberdorf 2A block-built granary reveals two phases of construction: the western section dates from the 16th century and was built using block construction; a newer section, dating from 1690, was built using post-and-beam construction. According to a dendrochronological study, the granary was built in 1539. In the historic village centre, it connects the group of houses on the main road with the settlement in Oberdorf. It is a tangible point of reference for Thürnen’s local architecture, which can be explored alongside the village’s history, recurring customs and insights into wine and fruit growing.

Village History and Historic Houses

Thürnen lies southeast of Sissach on the banks of the Homburgerbach, a tributary of the Ergolz. The municipality also lies at the foot of the Unterer Hauenstein, which leads to Olten. The oldest documents mention Thürnen under the name Durnum. Until the Reformation, there was a chapel in the village that was affiliated with the parish of St. Jakob in Sissach.

Another testament to the history of local architecture is the house at Hauptstrasse 48. Dating from the 16th century, it is one of the best-preserved Late Gothic houses in a row of buildings. Together with the block-built granary, it illustrates different aspects of the historic building stock: here is a Late Gothic house, there a granary with parts from different construction phases and two building methods. Anyone interested in local history will find tangible examples of historic architecture alongside the early documentary names.

Carnival, Eierläset and Grümpi

Thürnen’s year includes various events during Basel-Landschaft Carnival, including, for example, a children’s parade. Eierläset is an old springtime and fertility custom intended to drive away winter. Two groups compete in the egg race: one represents winter, the other spring. The custom thus combines competition with a clear seasonal contrast.

Grümpi is also held every year, around the time of the school summer holidays. These events therefore take place at different times of the year. If you would like to plan your trip around a particular event, check the latest dates in advance.

Sport and Time Outdoors

The sports field in Thürnen is suitable for recreational sports and competitions. Facilities include football, frisbee, athletics, volleyball, handball and korbball. The public playground is between the railway crossing and the school building, right next to the sports field. This means two different places for leisure activities are located in the same part of the village, though they serve different purposes.

The forest is maintained as a local recreation and leisure area for residents. During a guided hike in 2024, a picnic spot on the Thürner Fluh was documented. The forest and the Fluh add other ways to spend time outdoors to the activities available in the village.

Wine, Farm Produce and Apple Varieties

At the Im Grien farm, 60 ares of vines are cultivated with the Kerner and Blauburgunder grape varieties. The farm sells its own produce in its farm shop. Thürner Blauburgunder can also be sampled on site. Wine-growing, the farm shop and wine tasting add a local culinary dimension to a visit, without requiring any particular itinerary.

The Thürnen orchard on the Grien farm has 45 trees representing 13 varieties. In the orchard at Weieracker, old, half-grown and young trees stand side by side. The garden is therefore characterised not only by the number of varieties but also by the different ages of its trees. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Thürnen, you can plan your stay around whether local architecture and customs, wine and fruit growing, or sport and time outdoors are your main interests.

Discover more destinations: Ormalingen, Kilchberg, Hemmiken, Zunzgen, Sissach, Rünenberg, Buckten, Läufelfingen

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