Eschenz brings together the Eschenz-Werd Island archaeological site, Roman history, the local museum and routes along the SeerĂĽcken ridge and to Werd Island. For a cultural trip, you can explore historical themes in the museum, make the island a focus of your visit, or round out your stay with a hike and the public lido. Eschenz is both a political municipality and a locality in the district of Frauenfeld in the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland.
Pile dwellings, the Roman era and Werd Island
The Eschenz-Werd Island archaeological site has been part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps since 27 June 2011. Werd Island is one of the oldest settlement sites in the Lake Constance region and therefore an important reference point for the area’s early settlement. In the early 1st century AD, the Romans built a village here called Tasgetium. A Roman wooden bridge crossed Werd Island to the opposite shore of the lake.
The island is also linked to medieval history. In 958, King Otto I gave the Benedictine monastery of Einsiedeln a church already established in Untereschenz, Werd Island and its church, and a nearby estate. Over the following centuries, settlement expanded from an early core through extensive land clearance, spread eastward and climbed the ridge of the SeerĂĽcken.
Village history in the museum and at Freudenfels
Opened in 1991, the Eschenz Local Museum presents evidence of human settlement from the Bronze Age to modern times. Its collection includes arrowheads, combs, earthenware and writing tablets, as well as an intact panpipe and a Celtic statuette. The precious original archaeological objects mentioned here are held at the Frauenfeld Archaeological Museum. The second floor of the local museum focuses on everyday objects, mementos and documents from the village’s history. A visit therefore offers both archaeological evidence and objects and records from village life.
The history also leads to Freudenfels Castle. It was built around 1300 on a rocky spur, 1 km southeast of Obereschenz, as part of a chain of fortifications. These served to protect Stein am Rhein and commercial shipping on Lake Untersee. From 1623 to 1798, the historic estate associated with Eschenz was administered from Freudenfels Castle by the governor of Einsiedeln Abbey. Access to the grounds may be restricted.
On foot between the SeerĂĽcken ridge and Werd Island
On the “Auf dem Seerücken” hiking trail, the view over Lake Untersee opens up above Eschenz; near Werd Island, the trail reaches the water. This gives hikers two specific landmarks for planning their walk: the viewpoint above the village and the water near the island. Trail conditions may change, so check them before setting out.
Werd Island is also accessible on foot: from the Stein am Rhein landing stage, the route passes through Eschenz and then crosses the wooden bridge to the island. This route description offers a specific way to get there on foot, while the “Auf dem Seerücken” hiking trail focuses on views of Lake Untersee.
Village stops and visiting arrangements
While the local museum brings settlement and village history together in one place, the Eschenz Challenge spreads various stops throughout the village. Information is available at each stop via QR code; the content may be updated. For time by the water, Eschenz has the public Buebebadi lido, with a large sunbathing lawn and a children’s playground.
The chapel on Werd Island can be visited; visiting arrangements may change, so it is advisable to check before your visit. By prior arrangement, visitors can see a small exhibition of archaeological finds in the Franciscan convent, created by the Office of Archaeology. Groups and school classes can also visit the Franciscan community on the island after making contact in advance; members of the community share stories about Franciscan life.
Discover more destinations: Steckborn, MĂĽllheim Dorf, Mammern, Wagenhausen, HĂĽttwilen, Homburg, Berlingen, Pfyn
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