Interview with Patricia Seif of Schaffhauserland Tourism
Although it is one of the smaller cantons of Switzerland, the canton of Schaffhausen is quite well known thanks to the Rhine Falls. Many visitors come to the area on a day trip from Zurich and I too am guilty of doing just that.
With so much more to see and do in the canton than just the Rhine Falls, I invited Patricia Seif from Schaffhauserland Tourism to tell me more about this northern part of Switzerland.
Patricia not only works at the Tourist Office, she also takes guided tours of Schaffhausen, so she knows the whole area intimately and her passion for her home town is evident.
As well as discovering all the highlights of the canton, there are lots of interesting and fun facts that you’ll learn in this episode, too.
Did you know, for instance, that the canton of Schaffhausen shares 80% of its borders with Germany and only 20% with other Swiss cantons? Or that the city of Schaffhausen is home to 171 oriel windows – the most in any town in Switzerland?
These are just some of the interesting facts and tips you’ll learn in this episode that will have you adding Schaffhausen to your Swiss itinerary.
Topics discussed in this episode include:
- Where is Schaffhausen
- The highlights of Schaffhausen including its oriel windows, monastery and Munot Fortress
- The Rhine Falls and how to get there from Schaffhausen
- The highlights of Stein am Rhein
- Boat trips on the Rhine River
- Patricia’s top tips for visitors to Schaffhausen
Click the green button below to listen:
Show Notes
In this episode, Patricia mentions:
>> Fronwagplatz – a central square that is regarded as the heart of the car-free Old Town
>> Fronwagturm – a tower on Fronwagplatz with a 16th century astronomical clock
>> Munot Fortress – a 16th century fortress which sits on a hill above the town. It can be reached by steps through the vineyards and offers superb views from the rooftop terrace.
>> Bölletünne – an onion and bacon tart that is a speciality of Schaffhausen. It is similar to a quiche.
>> Schaffhausen zunge – a hazelnut filled cookie that is unique to Schaffhausen
>> Rhybadi – very popular with Schaffhausen locals is this wooden platform on stilts built over the Rhine that is used for sunbathing and to access the roped-off swimming pools in the river.
>> Pinot Noir grapes – the most popular local grape variety. 75% of the area’s vineyards are planted with Blauburgunder grapes, which are also known as Pinor Noir.
Useful Resources
You can find lots of information about Schaffhausen, Rhine Falls and Stein am Rhein on the Schaffhauserland Tourism website.
The following articles will also be helpful:
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