Bischofszell - the town of roses

As early as the 18th century, Bischofszell was considered a town of roses. Even today, over four hundred rose varieties blossom in nine gardens from the beginning of June to the end of September. Once a year, these are honoured. During the legendary Bischofszell Rose Week, rose lovers celebrate the fragrant flowers with a colourful cultural programme over seven days.

If you want to know how printing was done in the 19th and 20th centuries, the Typorama Bischofszell is the place to go. With an exhibition of hand typesetting, typesetting and printing machines from that time that is unique in its diversity, the traditional expertise of lead typesetting and letterpress printing is preserved and passed on. Best of all, the Typorama is not only a museum, but also a production site. All the machines are still in use and demonstrate to guests what mechanical marvels they are when producing printed matter.

Night watchmen have ensured security and order in towns at night since the Middle Ages. In Bischofszell, they were even on the municipal payroll until 1940. At the end, they were still used as fire guards, but eventually they had to make way for the modern fire brigade. The security service was taken over by the municipal police. Nevertheless, the tradition is still alive in Bischofszell today. From April to October, the night watchmen set out on their original route through the alleys of Bischofszell on the eve of the new moon. Guests hear the sung hourly call and anecdotes from the town's history.

The Historical Museum of Bischofszell welcomes guests in two stately patrician houses from the 18th century. It shows how Bischofszeller men and women lived in the past 500 years. In addition to housing culture and town history, there is a collection of ceramics and maps, a drugstore room and a pharmacy just like in the old days. The diverse collection of toys from the 19th and 20th centuries will also delight younger visitors. After your tour of the museum, you can enjoy a drink and a pastry in the Kaffestube - a bourgeois dining room from the 1920s.

In the 15th century, five carp ponds were artificially created in a valley hollow between Hauptwil and Wilen for fish farming at the time. During industrialisation, the ponds were also used to generate hydroelectric power, but today they are protected as nature reserves. The idyllic pond landscape is best discovered on a hike, for example along the Thurgau circular hiking trail from Amriswil to Hauptwil. When you reach your destination, tired legs can enjoy a refreshing dip in the natural pool on the southern shore of the Hauptwil pond.

The Waldschenke Bischofszell is located on the edge of the Bischofsberg forest between shady trees. The excursion destination for the whole family is a 30-minute walk from Hauptwil and Bischofszell railway stations. Once there, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view from the Säntis to the Glarus Alps. The kiosk offers specialities from the charcoal grill with Swiss meat. A huge forest playground awaits the children to let off steam.

Every Mother's Day, an extraordinary spectacle takes place on the rivers Sitter and Thur: The traditional Mammut raft race. Raft racers compete over a distance of around 12 kilometres from Degenau to Kradolf. It's not just about speed. No, the real eye-catchers are the raft constructions and the costumes of the crew, which are made especially for this race in countless hours of work with great attention to detail. This crazy raft ride is bizarre, adventurous and not entirely without danger.

Spending the night in a treehouse - who hasn't dreamed of that? In Halden near Bischofszell this dream comes true. The little house in the treetops is tastefully furnished. Quietly and idyllically situated, it delights visitors with its own terrace, cosy wood-burning stove and view of Thurgau apple trees. In summer, the nearby old Thur bridge in Bischofszell with its natural bath landscape invites you to cool off.

In the course of the 20th century, Bischofszell developed into the region's most important industrial location away from the major transport routes. Why were the Hauptwiler ponds the indispensable prerequisite for industrialisation? What was manufactured in the region? What role did the Thurbrücke bridge in Bischofszell play? On information boards, the industry trail running from Hauptwil to Bischofszell answers these questions and tells of the eventful period of industrialisation in the region.

During the fruit tree blossom in spring, the Thurgau shows its most beautiful side: in white and pale pink dotted blossom dress. The "Bluescht", as it is called here, is best discovered by nature lovers visiting the Bischofszell region on the Mostindien bike tour. This leads right across Thurgau through the region's most beautiful fruit-growing areas. The Roggwil orchard collection is also worth a visit. lohnt sich ein Besuch. Almost 400 inscribed high trunk trees of traditional fruit varieties are preserved from extinction here.