In Schleitheim, Roman history and Anabaptist history can be explored along different trails. Iuliomagus points to the town’s Roman past; the Anabaptist Trail leads to the Chälle, a meeting place for Anabaptists, and on to the Anabaptist Room in the Schleitheimertal Museum. Trails around the Randen and along the Wutach offer another perspective on the area.
Discover Roman Iuliomagus
The small Roman town of Iuliomagus was established around the middle of the 1st century AD on the road from the legionary camp at Windisch to the fort at HĂĽfingen, in the Danube headwaters region. The most important Roman archaeological sites along the Schleitheim Roman Trail are marked with information panels. You can visit individual sites or put together a tour of your choice. This lets you explore the Roman past to the extent that suits your visit.
The public baths and thermal baths of Roman Iuliomagus have been excavated and partly conserved. The thermal baths museum is open year-round, wheelchair accessible, and suitable for visits by children and school classes. Check the latest access information before your visit.
The Anabaptist Trail and Schleitheim’s history
The Schleitheim section of the Anabaptist Trail begins at Zelgli, goes down through the Grund to the Chälle, and continues to the Anabaptist Room in the Schleitheimertal Museum at Kirchgasse 8. The Chälle was a meeting place for Anabaptists. When the ground is dry, the trail is easy to walk, although it is somewhat steep in places. The flatter alternative is the vehicle track; a covered wagon ride is also offered. Ask locally about trail conditions and available transport options.
The Anabaptist Room contains an original printed copy of the Schleitheim Articles from the 16th century. The Schleitheimertal Museum is open on the first Sunday of each month from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. Visits outside regular opening hours and guided tours are available by appointment. The history of Schleitheim Church also dates back to around the year 600. It is the oldest church in the canton of Schaffhausen north of the Rhine.
Hiking on the Randen and along the Wutach
A circular hike from Schleitheim passes the gypsum museum and follows the renaturalized Wutach. The Randen Trail begins at the post office in Schleitheim, climbs over Staufenberg, and runs along the edge of the forest via Birbistel to Beggingen. If you are interested in a guided excursion on the history of the Schleitheim stones, you can plan a tour of around three and a half hours through the village, up to Staufenberg and into Lachenbruch. Check separately whether the guided tour is available.
The Schleitheim Randen Tower has stood on the Randen since 1909. Climb more than 100 steps for views of the Black Forest and the Hegau, and, in foehn conditions, as far as the Alps. For cyclists, the challenging Randen Tour offers a different kind of adventure: it is 53.5 kilometres long, involves 770 metres of ascent, and reaches a high point of 919 metres. The Randen Tower is a highlight of the route and marks the highest point in the Schaffhausen Regional Nature Park. Check the latest route information before setting out on a cycling tour.
More places to discover in town
At the Schleitheim gypsum museum, you can follow the route once taken by gypsum miners about 200 metres into the mountain. A small lake blocks the way further in; the water and air temperatures in the tunnels are around 10°C in both summer and winter. Check access conditions before your visit. The Tar-da-da Trail starts in Schleitheim, enters the forest after about 500 metres, and offers opportunities to join in at 13 stations.
The town centre features half-timbered houses and the village stream, which flows right through the settlement. In summer, the stream is decorated with geraniums, and during Advent with Christmas trees. The Badi Schleitheim outdoor swimming pool also offers a range of activities. Its facilities include a 50-metre swimming pool, a learner pool, a paddling pool, a children’s slide, a 3.0-metre diving board, table tennis, volleyball and a climbing wall. Facilities may vary by season.
The SHBus route 21 runs from Schaffhausen to the request stop Schleitheim-Iuliomagus. Check the timetable before departure. The surrounding area of Schleitheim includes extensive forests, the Randen hills, the renaturalized Wutach and wetlands.
Discover more destinations: Beggingen, Schaffhausen, Oberklettgau, Stein, Reiat, Unterklettgau.
Return to the main travel overview: Schaffhausen.
