Koblenz at the confluence of the Aare and the High Rhine

Koblenz lies at the confluence of the Aare and the High Rhine, right on the border with Germany. Two distinctive aspects therefore stand out when choosing this destination: its river landscape and railway history. Its architectural heritage is also diverse. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay focused on nature or culture, these themes can help you decide which side of the town you would like to get to know better.

River landscapes at the Kleiner Laufen and in the Giriz

The area near the Kleiner Laufen lies on a gravel terrace below the rapids. It offers a good view of the confluence of the Rhine and Aare, as well as the mouth of the Wutach. The Roman watchtower Kleiner Laufen stands directly on the Rhine and is freely accessible at all times. As a precaution, check local access conditions before planning a specific visit.

Mighty silver willows shape the landscape in the Koblenz Giriz. The area where the Aare flows into the Rhine is listed in the Federal Inventory of Amphibian Spawning Areas of National Importance as a stationary site for amphibian reproduction. A 400-metre-long side channel has been revitalised. Together with the alluvial forests, islands and gravel banks along the shores, the river areas of the Rhine and Aare serve as a local recreation area.

In the Gippinger Grien nature forest reserve, paths may not be passable throughout when water levels are high and immediately afterwards, as some sections are flooded. This restriction is especially important if you are planning a stay that includes time by the water or in nature.

Railway history in Koblenz

The railway bridge over the Rhine was built in 1859. It is Europe’s oldest iron truss bridge still used as a railway bridge. At the station, the depot complex, together with the reception building and goods shed, forms a rare ensemble from the early days of Swiss railway construction. Koblenz’s history therefore centres on both a structure still used as a railway bridge and a characteristic ensemble from the early days of railway construction.

The historic depot complex and its collection of railway vehicles are protected and preserved; the largest collection of railcars in Switzerland is located here. The historic locomotive depot, dating from 1872, houses a club room, a workshop and railcars on display. The depot also offers rooms for events. This information describes the site’s facilities, not its general opening hours.

The castle and church architecture

The castle at Hinterdorfstrasse 21 is a late Gothic masonry building from the 16th century. It is protected in its entirety at cantonal level and is of regional importance. It probably served as the farm of Sion Monastery in Klingnau. The castle was one of the few houses in Koblenz to survive the devastating village fire of 1795.

The Reformed Church of Koblenz was built between 1939 and 1940 and consecrated on 21 April 1940. Its single-nave preaching hall has an open roof structure made of untreated wood and a floor of small red clay tiles. The church is open only during services and events. It can be used for concerts, social events, weddings and funeral services.

The Catholic parish church of St Verena was built in 1958/59 to plans by Solothurn architect Otto Sperisen and is dedicated to Saint Verena. Its nave tapers in a trapezoidal shape in both plan and elevation; it also features a freestanding bell tower and deeply projecting roofs, characteristic of church architecture in the 1950s. Comparing the two churches reveals their different architectural forms and periods of construction.

Routes and getting your bearings

A historic route of national importance leads from the railway bridge via Landstrasse, Achenbergstrasse and Tüftelstrasse to Rietheim and on to Waldshut. Cantonal cycle route 500 connects Koblenz to Full and Leuggern in the west and to Rietheim in the east. The routes offer different points of reference for planning: the historic route lists a sequence of streets and destinations, while the cycle route places Koblenz within a regional network of connections.

From Koblenz station, a hiking trail heads towards Gippingen through the Giriz nature reserve and then follows the Aare. Along the way, the trail passes a fire pit with no shelter. High water and maintenance work can change route conditions, so check the route before setting out. Koblenz has two railway stops: Koblenz Dorf and Koblenz Bahnhof. Park-and-ride facilities are available at the station and the municipal building, with an additional car-sharing service at the station. For your journey, it is worth checking current timetables and local services.

Discover more destinations: Tegerfelden, Böttstein, Endingen, Wislikofen, Siglistorf, Bad Zurzach.

Return to the regional travel overview: Zurzach.