Schlatt: Monastic History, Church Art and Nature

Schlatt lies in the Schlattertal on the eastern slope of the Cholfirst between Frauenfeld and Schaffhausen. If you are looking for a hotel in Schlatt, the area’s different highlights can guide your plans: the history of Klostergut Paradies, the Reformed church, and the nature and walking trails in the Schaaren. You can tailor your stay to what interests you most locally.

Klostergut Paradies: History, Art and Craftsmanship

The Iron Library is located at Klostergut Paradies. Its historic rooms house a unique collection of books on the history of science and technology. The library was established in the former monastery buildings in 1952. On a guided tour, you can visit exhibitions at the Iron Library and Kloster Paradies.

The monastery’s architectural history also goes back a long way: the core of the former convent building dates from the second half of the 13th century; after a fire, it was rebuilt in 1587. The monastery church of St. Michael in Paradies is a cultural monument of national importance. Between 1726 and 1728, its interior was almost completely redesigned in the Baroque style and decorated with valuable grisaille paintings. Thanks to its history, design, importance to the local townscape, rarity and artistic furnishings, the monastery complex is one of the most significant buildings in the area.

Since 2003, Kultur-Paradies has held six concerts each winter season in the restored monastery church in Paradies. This seasonal concert series adds a distinctive feature alongside the historic rooms and architecture. The complex also includes an arboretum with 60 tree species from across the Northern Hemisphere, from America to Japan. At the monastery complex, the Eligius blacksmiths’ guild maintains and preserves the traditional craft of blacksmithing in its guild forge.

Church History and Bells in Schlatt

A chapel dedicated to St. Margaret and belonging to Ittingen Monastery was first mentioned in a document in 1162 at the site of today’s Reformed church. Schlatt’s Reformed church was built in 1714 on the site of the demolished chapel. During a renovation in 1922, it was fitted with an organ and stained-glass windows designed by an artist from Diessenhofen. The succession of chapel, church building and later additions gives the local history a clear chronological framework.

Another historical landmark is the Türmli in Mettschlatt: the bell tower is legally protected and classified as particularly valuable. It houses two bells from the demolished St. Nicholas Chapel; one dates from 1505. Schlatt therefore preserves different kinds of heritage side by side—from the church interior and its furnishings to the surviving bells.

Schaaren: Nature and Trails

The largely unspoilt landscape of the Schaaren includes alluvial forests, old river channels and ponds. It provides suitable habitats for rare animals and plants. The Schaaren area is part of a cantonal protected area that includes 13 hectares of nature forest reserve and 221 hectares of special forest reserve; it belongs to the municipalities of Diessenhofen and Schlatt. The Schaarenwald nature trail is one of the visitor attractions in the area.

Families and adults can also enjoy the Gschichtli-Weg in the Schaaren. At ten stops, numbered QR codes each tell part of the story. The route described for 2026 starts at the Petri car park and is about 2.5 kilometres long. The path is generally accessible with a pushchair; be aware of tree roots and a narrow, raised pedestrian bridge.

Getting to Klostergut Paradies

You can reach Klostergut Paradies from Schaffhausen on S-Bahn line S8 towards Stein am Rhein. Get off at Langwiesen or Schlatt; both stations are a ten-minute walk away. Check train connections and directions before travelling. You can combine your journey with the cultural highlights in Paradies or focus your stay on the churches and nature attractions in the Schaaren.

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