The rush of the water is the constant soundtrack to the Schaffhausen canton. You are in a land that wraps around the **Rhine river** and reaches into the German border. The landscape is a mix of lush vineyards and medieval fortresses like the **Munot**, a circular 16th century stronghold. It feels historic and lively with a focus on the power of the water and the quality of the local wine. The main event is the **Rhine Falls**, the largest waterfall in Europe, where 600,000 liters of water crash over the rocks every second. You find yourself standing on platforms just feet away from the spray. Roads wind through the **Klettgau** region where the hills are covered in **Blauburgunder** grapes. Villages feature colorful painted houses with ornate bay windows. You see people rowing on the calm stretches of the river and hikers exploring the Randen hills and their deep oak forests. The history of the river trade is seen in the grand merchant houses of the old towns. The Schaffhausen canton is a water kingdom that offers a bright and scenic start to any trip near the northern border.

Schaffhausen (canton) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Schaffhausen (canton)

This northern canton of Schaffhausen owes its entire existence to the raw power of the Rhine River. Because the massive Rhine Falls made the river impassable for ships traders were forced to unload their goods and haul them overland. This created a perfect shunting spot where the city of Schaffhausen grew as a wealthy hub for storage and tolls. In the 11th century the Benedictine monastery of **All Saints** was founded here turning the river port into a spiritual and commercial center. The history of the canton is written in its unique geography as an exclave on the northern bank of the river. To protect themselves from constant threats from the north the citizens built the Munot which is a massive circular fortress constructed between 1564 and 1585. This limestone stronghold was funded by the labor of the citizens themselves and remains a symbol of their refusal to be absorbed by surrounding empires. Even today a guard lives in the tower and rings the bell every evening at 9:00 PM. By the 19th century the energy of the waterfall was harnessed to fuel** the Industrial Revolution**. This led to the birth of **IWC Schaffhausen** which is one of the world most prestigious watch brands that used the river power to drive its machinery. The canton transformed from a medieval transit point into a center of high end mechanical engineering. It's a story of a people who turned a geographic obstacle into their greatest source of wealth and identity.

Schaffhausen (canton)