For a long time, the region on the southern shores of Lake Constance was one of Switzerland's most important industrial centres and was especially known for its textile production.
Unlike neighbouring St. Gallen, the Thurgau never had a large urban centre. Nevertheless, numerous industrial companies decided to settle here.
On this tour you will get to know the diverse industrial heritage of the canton of Thurgau and learn that this region has more to offer than just fruit crops.
Saurer's products have shaped modern Switzerland and were exported internationally. For decades, the iconic Swiss post buses were produced by Saurer. But also fire enignes, military and other commercial vehicels as well as embroidery and weaving machines were manufactured in Arbon and sold throughout the world.
Located in a former factory hall on Arbon's lakeside promenade, the Saurer Museum takes you on a journey through 150 years of industrial history from the beginnings with the first "Klüpperlistick" embroidery machine to the fabrication of commercial vehicles and more modern weaving machines. Of course, the iconic post buses and military vehicles are also on dsiplay. Experience the former hustle an bustle!
The industrial and techical history of the canton of Thurgau cannot be told without also embarking on the naval history of Lake Constance. At the Kreuzlingen Lake Museum you can take a deep dive into the ancient relationship between man and water.
From the Lake Museum you can glimpse over the wide waterscape of Lake Constance. Inside, numerous objects on the naval history of Lake Constance await you. In particular, artefacts form the steamship "Jura", which sank in 1864, demonstrate how rapidly shipping changed in the course of indutrialisation. Today, the "Jura" is conssidered an underwater industrial monument.
The Museum kunst + wissen in Diessenhofen bears witness to the long tradition of textile industry in eastern Swwitzerland. From 1819 to 1884 the, the former district office was home to a dyeing and fabric printing works that specialised in the colour red.
The museum exhibits working tools from the former dye and calico printing works. The collection encompasses printing models, engraving tools, a large number of design drawings for textile printing, old fabrics and a wooden cloth press with an early industrial iron spindle.
You can now discover the rich industrial heritage of the Canton of Thurgau from the comfort of your own home. Thanks to the online platform www.meineindustriegeschichte.ch you can access a large collection of photos, objects and interview with eywittnesses wherever you are.
The Thurgau History Museum manages the website. With this project, the museum ventures into the digital age. Of course, you can also pay a physical visit to the museum, located inside the historic Frauenfeld Castle. However, the permanent exhibition sheds little light on the Canton's industrial history. Nevertheless, a visit is well worth your time - be it virtually or on site.
Welcome aboard on a voyage through the history of navigation on Lake Constance
Travelling by train takes you approx. 45 minutes between each of the stations. Between Arbon and Kreuzlingen you will have to change trains at Romanshorn. There is a direct train on the Kreuzlingen-Diessenhofen route.
During summer you can also travel a part of the journey by boat. Please check the timetables of the Lake Constance shipping company.
The route is also suitable for cycling. The cycle paths along the shores of Lake Constance and the Rhine are well developed. Of course, you can also travel by car.
Please take note of the opening hours of the individual institutions.
