Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein

Overview

Hint

Schaffhausen

Eastern Switzerland / Liechtenstein

Intro

One of the finest river journeys in Europe awaits. The pristine Rhine landscape and idyllic Lower Lake Constance (Untersee) make for an impressive experience out in nature. Schaffhausen, Stein am Rhein, Reichenau Island, Konstanz – discover cultural highlights and places steeped in history.

For as long as mankind has lived on these shores, people have navigated Lower Lake Constance and the Rhine. It owes its origin to the former goods transport between the Lake Constance area and the Upper Rhine Plain. Back then, Lädine merchant vessels, measuring 18 – 36m in length and 4.5m wide, would silently glide along the water, carrying their cargo. When going up the Rhine, eight Rosser draught horses from Ausserwydlen near Buchthalen or Büsingen walked ahead of each boat on the paths along the right bank. Upriver of Diessenhofen, on the left side of the Rhine now, their place was taken by horses belonging to Huber from Diessenhofen and Vetterli from Rheinklingen. With horses to their side, the boats would be pulled onwards to Stein am Rhein. Over Lower Lake Constance and Lake Constance, the power of the wind was then harnessed to sail onwards.

Detailed descriptions of this can be found in the book celebrating 100 years of the navigation company “1865 – 1990. 125 Jahre Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein” (Paperback, 68 pages, many great photos), which can be bought at the boat kiosks and from head office.