Soft green hills and an endless sea of fruit trees define the Thurgau canton. You are in the land of cider and apples where the landscape slopes down to meet the wide blue expanse of **Lake Constance**. Roads wind through half timbered villages and past grand castles like Arenenberg, once home to Napoleon III. The shoreline is a mix of quiet beaches and historic harbors like **Romanshorn** where ships sail toward Germany. You find yourself in a region of vast fields and quiet farm lanes perfect for a long bike ride or a scenic drive. The history of the area is seen in the **Pile Dwelling** sites and the medieval monasteries like **Ittingen Charterhouse**. The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Local farm stalls sell fresh juice and berries along the roadside. The vibe is one of simple pleasures and natural abundance. Thurgau is the garden of the north and is a peaceful escape into a landscape of blossoms and water.

Thurgau (canton) highlights

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The Scenic Route

The Heritage Drive

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History of Thurgau (canton)

The history of this northern canton began as a frontier for the Roman Empire. The town of **Pfyn** was once a vital Roman fort designed to guard the river routes against Germanic tribes. When the Romans left the fertile rolling hills were taken over by the **Counts of Kyburg** and later the Habsburgs who recognized the agricultural potential of the land. For centuries the region was the pantry of the north providing grain and fruit. In the 19th century the landscape underwent a sweet transformation. The introduction of large scale apple and pear orchards turned the green hills into a sea of blossoms. This led to a boom in cider production and fruit processing earning the province the nickname **Mostindien**. This agricultural wealth funded the construction of grand villages and the preservation of lake shore castles like **Arenenberg** which became the final home of the French Emperor Napoleon III mother. The modern history of the region is defined by its relationship with the water. As a borderland along **Lake Constance** the canton has always been a bridge between the Swiss German and Austrian worlds. It was here that early pioneers developed some of the first lakeside steamships and railway connections that linked the heart of Europe.

Thurgau (canton)

Thurgau (canton) highlights

Part of these road trips

History of Thurgau (canton)

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