Frauenfeld: Old Town, Murg River and City History

Frauenfeld is the capital of the canton of Thurgau and the district of Frauenfeld. If you are looking for a hotel in Frauenfeld, you can first consider whether your stay will focus mainly on the old town, the paths along the Murg River or the surrounding countryside. The city and its surroundings offer different points of interest, from historic buildings and a trail offering insights into early industrial history to hiking and cycling opportunities.

Countryside and paths along the Murg River

The area around Frauenfeld includes the broad Thur Valley and the region’s gentle hills. It is ideal for hiking and cycling. The Murg floodplain park offers a different connection with nature: winding paths run alongside the Murg River, where you may occasionally spot beavers or kingfishers.

The path along the Murg combines a nature experience with a glimpse into Frauenfeld’s early industrial history. It includes numerous bridges and footbridges. The trail also shows how electricity is generated from the water of the Murg. Water here is therefore not only part of the landscape, but also a subject of industrial history.

Old town and historical development

Frauenfeld’s old town has a rectangular layout. Magnificent 18th-century diplomatic residences define its lanes and invite you to explore. The layout describes the shape of the old town, while the buildings draw attention to its architectural history.

Frauenfeld was first mentioned in writing in 1246 and developed on land belonging to Reichenau Abbey around Frauenfeld Castle. In 1264, the city came into the possession of the Habsburgs. In 1374, the Habsburgs granted the Duke of Frauenfeld jurisdiction over the entire Thurgau region, which at the time also included St. Gallen. Later, in the 18th century, parts of Frauenfeld were destroyed by fire twice: in 1771 and 1788.

Explore Frauenfeld on foot and by bus

The Stadtgolf course includes twelve stops and leads to some of the city’s most beautiful places, including the old town and other locations in Frauenfeld. All twelve stops are within walking distance of one another. The course lets you explore Frauenfeld and its sights on foot, with the stops providing a set route for your walk.

The bus routes offer different ways to get around the city and travel into the region. Frauenfeld railway station is the central interchange for the city bus routes, which run from there to the various neighbourhoods. Ten regional bus routes also radiate out from the station into the surrounding area. If you plan to use the bus, check the timetable before you travel.

Culture and other impressions

The Eisenwerk was established in a disused screw factory. Today, it is a cooperative that brings together residential, work and cultural spaces. Its transformation from a former industrial operation into a place with multiple uses connects industrial history with Frauenfeld’s cultural life.

Plättli Zoo is one of the few remaining private zoos in Switzerland to have operated without public funding. Animals living there include lions, pumas, Barbary macaques, white-faced saki monkeys, chimpanzees and various parrots.

Discover more destinations: Warth-Weiningen, Aadorf, Gachnang, Buch bei Frauenfeld, Thundorf

Go to the main travel overview: Frauenfeld.