Local Attractions

Arbon Castle

A fortified late Roman stockade Arbor Felix (which means ‘the happy tree’), was built here in the year 250 AD, but was subsequently abandoned by the Romans in about 400 AD at the time of the great population migration. Later it became the property of the Bishops of Konstanz. For over a thousand years the Bishops’ administrators and then the Governors lived here. Between 1510 and 1518 Bishop Hugo of Hohenlandenberg added to the construction, creating the castle we see today. Around 1800 the castle became privately owned and since 1945 it has belonged to the town of Arbon. Following extensive restoration of the interior and exterior, the castle and its imposing 33 metre-high tower has been home to the history museum for more than 30 years. The castle also houses a centre for adult education, a cosy restaurant ‘Wirtschaft zum Schloss’ and a gallery. These historic walls welcome the celebration of weddings and other parties too. The traditional Landenberg Room (named after the builder, Hugo von Hohenlandenberg) provides a dignified setting for such events. In summer the garden restaurant is an inviting spot. Arbon Castle is today a regionally important cultural meeting place.

The Old Town

The thick walls of the medieval town fortifications were often used as foundation walls for houses. The row of houses at the Untertorgasse is an especially impressive example of this method of building. After the demolition of some houses that were poorly constructed, the idyllic Fischmarktplatz was created here. This opened up the view to the beautifully restored neighbouring houses, some with half-timbering and frescoes, as well as the ‘Posthof’ a big-city style of building from the years 1905/1906. The shell-shaped fountain with the mischievious fisher-girl in bronze makes this an especially pleasant spot to linger. The square regularly hosts various markets, concerts and festivals all year round.

The Lake Promenade

Along the shore of the lake there is a promenade three kilometres long, which is as varied as can be. At Steinach bay there is the inimitable Chestnut tree ‘allee‘: a great spot for observing water birds all year round as they pass through or stay to nest. Beautiful parks with a children’s playground, concert pavilion, and flower beds lead the visitor on to the harbour area. Further west, past the modern swimming pool and the Seeparksaal there are opportunities to swim in the lake, picnic places and finally an extensive nature reserve. You can see many local bird species from the boardwalk, which was erected in 2005 on the Philosophenweg, especially in the early hours of the morning. The romantic walking path continues on to the bathing beach. The view from the restaurant terrace above the lake is fantastic. Not to mention the sunsets!

Old Town Tour