iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

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This alley, which crosses the entire lakeside, is named after Adolph Saurer (1841-1920), one of the pioneers of modern Swiss industry. The Saurer family from Arbon produced the famous trucks that bear their name. It was Saurer who in 1904 patented the engine brake that is used on all vehicles today. It was also thanks to Saurer that engines are no longer started by cranking, as the company patented a compressor starter in 1905, which was adopted by Renault, among others.

The castle hosts a museum that tells the story of Arbon and the region, with a permanent exhibition that takes the visitor on an exciting journey through 5,500 years of life around Lake Constance, from the first settlements built around the lake more than 3,000 years ago to the industrial development of the late 19th century.

Here we are in front of the entrance to St. Martin's church, right next to its bell tower. This tower was built in 1457 from wood and stone and was probably originally a defensive structure. It took its present form in 1895 and was not connected to the church until 1911.

This esplanade is a stone's throw from the castle and the church and offers a superb view of the lake shore. The small chapel to the left of the church is the Galluskapelle, built in the 13th century, which is only open during church services due to the fragility of its frescos.

The idyllic Fischmarktplatz ("fish market square") offers a view of beautifully restored houses and of the "Posthof", a large urban complex built at the very beginning of the 20th century. A strange, surreal fisherwoman's fountain draws the eye at this square where various markets, concerts and festivals are held throughout the year.

Our view here is oriented to some of the beautiful old houses along the main street ("Hauptstrasse"). Behind us, the Schmiedgasse plunges into the heart of the old town and is worth a visit.

From Storchenplatz, take Kapellgasse to go to the main street and stroll around the castle before descending to the lakeside. Here you can discover Postgasse and its Fischmarktplatz, another very picturesque square.

Slightly smaller than Lake Geneva, which is divided between Switzerland and France in the far west of the country, Lake Constance is bordered by three countries: Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Opposite Arbon is Germany, 11.5 km away as the crow flies. The lake takes its name from the town of Konstanz, to the west. Its German name ("Bodensee") comes from a village called Bodman (near Ludwigshafen), which was an important place in the early Middle Ages.

One of Arbon's great tourist attractions is its lakeside, a vast green space that invites you to take a leisurely walk and relax. In summer, of course, it is a perfect area for various cultural events.

Just outside the old town, in the charmless new town, you will see an islet of ancient times, the Römerhof, a 16th-century building set against the ruins of a city wall.

Arbon is part of a network of some twenty places in Switzerland where open-air cinema sessions are organised in summer in exceptional locations, old towns, castle courtyards or green spaces. The screenings take place here by the lake, on this large esplanade.

Here we are on the Hauptstrasse (main street), opposite the castle dungeon and St. Martin's church. On our right is Postgasse, which leads to the picturesque Fischmarktplatz, where we recommend a short tour.

Leaving the Fischmarktplatz on the lake side, you come to the Promenadenstrasse, where you can admire more beautiful old houses before reaching the main street near the church.

This is one of the few remains of the castle built by the Romans in the 3rd century AD to protect the north-eastern border of their empire. Archaeological excavations have revealed an imposing fortress, with walls over 2m thick, at least five towers, various gates and a moat.

Just outside the old town, an architectural collision makes Arbon a paradoxical town: the half-timbered Römerhof, a 16th-century house set against the ruins of the town walls, and the incongruous turrets of the Schädler Tower, an industrial building constructed in 1927.

The tourist office is located in Schmiedgasse ("Blacksmiths Lane") in the old house with large wooden shutters on the left.

The Catholic church of St. Martin was built in the 15th century on the site of a Romanesque basilica. Its choir, dating from 1490, was shortened when the nave was rebuilt in 1786-1789. The upper part of the building dates from 1895 and is in Tudor Gothic style.

On the Walhallastrasse stop at the Storchenplatz ("Stork Square") to admire the beautiful old houses. If you visit on a Saturday morning during the summer months, you will find there a market selling fresh local products.

Ruin of an ancient tower of the Castle of Arbon or remains of the Roman fortress of Arbor Felix? To be honest, we don't know, but as this structure stands at the foot of the dungeon, we are inclined to believe the first assumption.

You won't see much of Arbon's "Stadthaus", you'll just pass under its arcades. This massive building is not very attractive. It was built in 1730 and, before becoming the town hall, it housed various activities such as silk weaving.