In Bischofszell, historic domestic culture, technological history and a tradition of roses come together. The Historical Museum next to the Bogenturm makes a good starting point for exploring the old town. The Thur Bridge, the rose gardens and experiences that reveal history and the present in different ways offer further perspectives.

Old Town and Technological History

The Historical Museum is housed in two grand, heritage-listed buildings dating from the mid-18th century. The Grubenmann brothers built them as twin houses for linen merchant Zwinger after the town fire of 1743. The buildings place the exhibition right in the heart of the old town; the museum is about a five-minute walk from the railway station.

The museum’s displays of domestic culture span the Late Gothic period to the 20th century. The collections include ceramics, a pharmacy room, an old pharmacy, porcelain and toys from the 19th and 20th centuries. The ecclesiastical treasury of St. Pelagius Church also showcases historic craftsmanship: it includes chalices, ciboria, monstrances and reliquaries by German and Swiss masters from the late Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods.

The Historical Paper Machine PM1 is a chapter in Bischofszell’s technological history. It operated as a multipurpose paper machine from 1929 to 1991. Weighing 223 tonnes and measuring 37 metres in length, it is impressive in scale; it is considered the oldest surviving and, today, probably the largest paper machine with an individual drive in Switzerland. During guided tours, the PM1 is often run without producing paper. Check tour dates and demonstration options before your visit.

At Typorama, hand typesetting and typesetting and printing machines from the 19th and 20th centuries take centre stage. The typographic museum is also a commercial operation: the machines are used in daily production. In Bischofszell, preserved collection pieces thus sit alongside historic technology that remains part of a working process.

Buildings and Riverside Landscape

The Thur Bridge was built in 1487 and is one of Switzerland’s important late medieval bridges. With eight spans, it is also the country’s largest surviving late medieval bridge. The city’s architectural heritage also shapes its history: Bischofszell received the Wakker Prize for it in 1987.

The rivers are as much a part of the landscape as the old town. The Sitter flows into the Thur just outside Bischofszell. The forest to the southeast and the riverbanks are considered recreational areas and offer a different perspective on the town from its historic buildings.

Rose Gardens and Trails

The many public rose gardens continue a tradition of roses that dates back to the early 18th century. The Rose Trail connects many of these gardens with the historic old town. The figures are approximate: the circular route is two kilometres long and takes about an hour and a half; its official starting point is at Bischofszell Stadt railway station.

The trail surface is also relevant for visitors with strollers or wheelchairs: the Rose Trail is almost entirely accessible to strollers and wheelchairs. Two rose gardens are inaccessible, but can easily be bypassed. If you use mobility aids, check the accessibility details again before your trip.

The CatWalk9220 takes a different amount of time: allow about two to three hours for the free family trail. Riddles lead to a hidden treasure; the route includes 20 consecutively numbered checkpoints. CatWalk9220 is open around the clock. Check the trail status before setting off. This makes it easy to compare the approximate duration of the Rose Trail with the longer riddle trail, even though the two experiences offer different things.

Market Tradition and Special Events

Bischofszell has held market rights for more than 750 years. A weekly market takes place at Grubplatz every Saturday morning from April to November. Check current market dates and times before your trip. Around Easter, the town’s Easter fountains are decorated every year and can be seen on a self-guided stroll; here, too, it is worth checking the dates.

Every two years, Switzerland’s largest rose show takes place in the historic old town during the last week of June. Check the event dates when planning your trip. Another way to discover Bischofszell’s past is the night watchman’s tour: it starts at the Bogenturm and shares fascinating and spooky stories from times gone by. Dates may vary, so it is advisable to check before your visit.

Back to the regional travel overview: Thurgau.