In Sommeri, the history of its church and village meets a landscape of green meadows and tall standard fruit trees. Hiking routes lead towards the village or reveal views of Sommeri as you leave GĂĽttingerwald Forest. The municipality lies in the Arbon district of the canton of Thurgau, on the foothills of the SeerĂĽcken ridge north of Amriswil.
Church and village history
St. Mauritius is dedicated to Saint Maurice and dates from around 700. The present complex comprises several construction phases: the nave is dated to 1414 (?), the altar was consecrated in 1439, the sacristy dates from 1442, and the choir from the end of the 15th century. The church is legally protected, classified as particularly valuable and listed in the ISOS as a single element worthy of protection. The different dates help distinguish the church’s early origins from the later parts of its present complex.
Sommeri was first mentioned in 905. The districts of Nieder- and Obersommeri also have a distinctive architectural tradition: both are characterised by striking half-timbered houses. Another chapter in the village’s history is the former “Strickstube” (knitting room). There, in 1924, Anna Schmid and Isa Stähelin created work and activity opportunities for young women with disabilities. Sommeri also features repeatedly as a setting in more than thirty books published by Maria Dutli-Rutishauser. Architecture, social history and literature thus offer different ways of exploring the village’s history.
Landscape, trails and MariahĂĽsli
Green meadows and tall standard fruit trees shape the landscape around Sommeri. Those interested in hiking will find two different route options: Stage E01 of the Via Francisca crosses GĂĽttingerwald Forest; as you leave the forest, Sommeri and its strikingly colourful church tower come into view. Another suggested hike follows marked trails towards Sommeri, includes a short break at MariahĂĽsli, then continues towards Kesswil and Lake Constance. Check current trail conditions before setting out.
MariahĂĽsli has a fire pit and a shelter; both are owned by the Niedersommeri Forest Corporation. There are also play facilities in the forest near MariahĂĽsli. Reservations for MariahĂĽsli are handled by Sommeri Municipal Administration. If you plan to spend time there, arrange your reservation before arrival and check the conditions of use.
Plan your meals and accommodation
Restaurant Linde Sommeri serves Portuguese and Swiss cuisine. Löwen Cooperative in Sommeri offers creative, regional and seasonal organic products. The establishments offer different culinary experiences. Before dining there, check whether they are currently open.
When looking for a hotel for your stay in Sommeri, it helps to decide what you would like to focus on first: would you like to include church and village history, hiking options or local cuisine in your plans?
Discover more destinations: Horn, Arbon, Romanshorn, Kesswil, Uttwil, Dozwil, Hefenhofen, Amriswil.
Back to the main travel overview: Arbon.
