Schaaren

Schaaren is a wooded Rhine floodplain in the municipality of Schlatt (TG), canton of Thurgau, a few kilometres upstream from Schaffhausen. It is not a castle. It is a landscape of oak forest, old river channels, Napoleonic-era earthworks and Roman remains.

What is Schaaren?

The area is a river-meadow landscape on the south bank of the Rhine, shaped in the late and post-glacial period. It keeps old channels, oak woodland and a fen of national importance. Parts are nature-protected, and the whole serves as a local recreation zone for people from Schaffhausen. The canton groups it with neighbouring Paradies and Unterschlatt in its Rhine meadows landscape inventory.

What can you see?

The 1799 bridgehead. Schaarenwald holds the remains of a fortified bridgehead from the War of the Second Coalition. Walls, ditches and gun ramps remain clearly visible among the trees, so a walk doubles as a lesson in military history.

A Roman watchtower. A late-Roman lookout once stood on the Rhine here. It was first excavated in 1912, and in 2023 the cantonal archaeology service reported a tower foundation and surrounding ditch. Several other archaeological sites lie nearby.

Nature. Former floodplain channels, oak woods and wet ground create a quiet setting close to a city. Stay on the paths, since some sections are protected.

What else is nearby?

The former Paradies convent sits next to the area. Poor Clares from Konstanz received property in the region in the 13th century, and the convent was dissolved in 1836. Georg Fischer bought the estate in 1918, and the Eisenbibliothek, a library on the history of iron and technology, opened there in 1948. The walled complex with its park, enclosed since the 16th century, appears in the ISOS heritage inventory.

How do I get there?

Schaaren lies a few kilometres upstream from Schaffhausen, at about 47.687 N, 8.697 E. Schlatt has its own railway station, and you can also come from Schaffhausen by train or by bike along the Rhine. On site, walking is the way to explore.

When should I visit?

Late spring through autumn suits the forest and meadows best. Paths can turn muddy after rain, so wear sturdy shoes.

Frequently asked questions

Is Schaaren a castle?

No. It is a natural and historic area on the Rhine. The nearest heritage complex is the former Paradies convent.

Will I see Roman ruins?

The tower stood in Schaarenwald, but it is an archaeological site. Expect traces in the terrain, not a rebuilt structure.

Is there an entrance fee?

The forest and paths are a public recreation area. The protected parts require respect for nature rules.

Is it a good half-day trip from Schaffhausen?

Yes. You can combine a forest walk, the 1799 fortification remains and a visit to nearby Paradies in half a day.