Koblenz lies where the Aare meets the High Rhine, directly on the border with Germany. The river shapes the landscape, as does the town’s railway history. Visitors staying here can choose between riverside scenery, historic buildings and distinctive churches. The town’s name is also connected to its location: Koblenz was first mentioned in a document in 1010 as Confluentia; the name refers to the confluence of the Aare and Rhine.
River Landscapes and Waterside Paths
At Kleiner Laufen, a gravel terrace lies below the rapids. From there, you can look out over the confluence of the Rhine and Aare and the mouth of the Wutach. The Roman watchtower Kleiner Laufen stands directly on the Rhine and is freely accessible at all times. As local access conditions can change, it is advisable to check the current situation shortly before your visit.
The mighty silver willows stand out in Giriz. The area where the Aare flows into the Rhine is listed as a nationally important stationary amphibian breeding site. A 400-metre-long side channel has also been restored there. The river landscapes of the Rhine and Aare, with their floodplain forests, islands and gravel banks, provide a local recreation area. The Gippinger Grien nature forest reserve is not fully accessible during and immediately after high water because paths may be flooded.
A hiking trail leads from Koblenz railway station towards Gippingen, through the Giriz nature reserve and along the Aare. Along the way, it passes a fire pit with no shelter. You can plan your route and riverside walks to suit your interests; conditions may be restricted during high water. This information does not specify a walking time or a circular route back to the station.
Railway Structures and Local History
Built in 1859, the railway bridge over the Rhine is Europe’s oldest iron truss bridge still in use as a railway bridge. Together with the station’s reception building and goods shed, the Koblenz depot forms a rare surviving ensemble from the early days of Swiss railway construction. The historic locomotive depot, dating from 1872, includes a club room, a workshop and displayed rail trolleys; it also offers rooms for events. The depot complex and its collection of railway vehicles are protected and preserved. The site is also home to Switzerland’s largest collection of rail trolleys. If you are planning a visit, check current visitor access and event options in advance.
Another historic landmark is the castle at Hinterdorfstrasse 21. This late-Gothic masonry building from the 16th century is protected at cantonal level and is of regional importance. It was probably used as a farmstead by Sion Monastery in Klingnau. The castle was one of the few buildings in Koblenz to survive the village fire of 1795. In the High Middle Ages, Koblenz was part of the domain of the Lords of Klingen; in 1269, Walther von Klingen sold the settlement, together with Klingnau, to the Bishopric of Constance.
Churches and Architecture
The Reformed Church of Koblenz was built between 1939 and 1940 and consecrated on 21 April 1940. The 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; possible uses include concerts, social gatherings, weddings and funerals.
The Catholic parish church of St Verena was built in 1958/59 to designs by Solothurn architect Otto Sperisen and is dedicated to Saint Verena. Its nave tapers in a trapezoidal shape in both plan and elevation. Other features include a freestanding bell tower and broad projecting canopies, characteristic of church architecture in the 1950s.
Getting There and Finding Your Way Around
Koblenz has two railway stations: Koblenz Dorf and Koblenz Bahnhof. Park-and-ride facilities are available at the station and at the municipal building; a car-sharing service is located at the station. As transport services can change, check connections and current availability before travelling. For cycle route planning, cantonal cycle route 500 connects Koblenz westwards with Full and Leuggern and eastwards with Rietheim. A historic route of national importance runs from the railway bridge via Landstrasse, Achenbergstrasse and TĂĽftelstrasse to Rietheim and onwards to Waldshut.
You can tailor your stay to your interests: riverside landscapes and paths sit alongside railway heritage and a diverse range of church buildings. Check access conditions for individual visits and plan walks in the riverside area with high water in mind.
Discover more destinations: Böttstein, Siglistorf, Bad Zurzach, Tegerfelden, Wislikofen, Endingen.
Return to the main travel overview: Zurzach.
