Berlingen’s history is evident not only in individual buildings: the oldest part of the village lies on the alluvial delta of the Wildbach stream, where the Untersee is widest in the north and the Seerücken ridge is steepest and highest in the south. The village also has a church with a landmark tower standing 48 metres high, as well as activities on the water. Local history and lake activities offer different options for planning your trip.
A historic village centre with distinctive buildings
The historic centre is densely built along the curved Seestrasse. It includes a church, a harbour and buildings dating from the 17th to the 20th century. Berlingen’s development can still be traced today through its neighbourhoods, buildings, outdoor spaces and streets. The church also tells the story of the village’s architectural history: the present-day church was built in 1842 and is one of Switzerland’s first Neo-Gothic churches. The nave and tower of the Reformed Church combine Classical and Gothic design elements.
The Wiesli is a tall half-timbered building with a hipped gable roof and a small half-timbered annex built in front of it, dating from around 1475. Together with the rectory opposite, the Grosse Haus, or Kehlhof, forms the western entrance group to the enclosed, town-like village centre. It is considered one of the largest and most beautiful half-timbered houses in Thurgau. The Kehlhof was the residence and administrative seat of the Meier, or Ammann. He represented the rights and interests of the landholding authority and collected the tithe on its behalf.
Adolf Dietrich and the art trail
The Adolf Dietrich House is located in the painter’s former home and is open to the public as a place of remembrance. A video installation introduces Adolf Dietrich as a person and a painter; digitised sketchbooks can be browsed on tablets. His painting room on the first floor has been preserved unchanged. The house offers guided tours and organises events.
If you would like to explore Adolf Dietrich’s connection with the Untersee landscape further, consider adding the Adolf Dietrich Art Trail to your plans. This easy circular walk is 5.7 kilometres long and starts at the Adolf Dietrich House. It leads to three selected locations where the landscape is presented from the painter’s perspective. The boat landing is also part of the route: a memorial there commemorates the explosion of the steamboat Rheinfall on 20 December 1869. The circular walk is listed as taking 1 hour 45 minutes, with 132 metres of ascent. Check the route details before setting out, as they may change when the route is revised. Guided village tours are also offered as discovery tours. One such tour may include a short walk following in Adolf Dietrich’s footsteps, with stories and anecdotes.
By the lake: swimming, walking and water sports
The lakeside promenade, locally known as the “Chlose”, is a meeting place for families and anyone who wants to enjoy the lake and the views. Berlingen’s public lido has a bathing hut, a sunbathing lawn and direct access to the Untersee; its facilities also include a bathing island with a slide. It is right on the Lake Constance Cycle Route and makes a good stop for cyclists as well as a starting point for walks along the shore. Separately, a small park with large specimen trees, including oaks, poplars, weeping willows and lime trees, is located on the lakeshore.
For water sports, the Boarderhouse in Berlingen offers wakeboarding and wakesurfing; both depend on the weather and the season. A guided SUP tour can be arranged there on request; be sure to confirm the arrangements before your trip. A SUP tour runs from the Boarderhouse across the Untersee to Reichenau. Windsurfing lessons are also available; according to the Boarderhouse’s description, the sport can be learned in eight hours.
Getting your bearings during your stay
A useful local landmark is the route between the railway station and the boat landing: Berlingen boat landing is about a 10- to 15-minute walk from the station. The tourist offering also includes fish caught by the village’s own fisherman. Alongside the historic townscape, you can therefore choose from a range of lake activities and enjoy a local connection to fishing.
Discover more destinations: MĂĽllheim Dorf, Pfyn, HĂĽttwilen, Steckborn, Eschenz, Mammern, Wagenhausen, Homburg.
Back to the main travel overview: Steckborn.
