St. Johann church

St. Johann church (St. Johann auf Burg) in Stein am Rhein crowns a small hill in the Vor der Brugg district, on the left bank of the Rhine, opposite the famous old town. It is among the oldest places of worship in the region, and it stands on the remains of a Roman fortress.

Why is it called "auf Burg"?

The church sits inside the former Roman fort of Tasgetium. This nearly square stronghold with several towers was built around AD 294 as a bridgehead at the Rhine crossing. Do not confuse it with the Stadtkirche, the former church of St. George's Abbey in the town centre.

How old is it?

Its oldest foundations date to the 6th century, and the first written record is from 799. During the 1976-78 restoration, archaeologists uncovered two richly furnished graves of an aristocratic family in the ruins of a late Roman building. A stone church with an apse followed in the late 7th century.

Ownership changed hands often. The church belonged to the Abbey of St. Gall, King Otto I gave it to Reichenau monastery in 950, and from 1359 it was an Austrian (Habsburg) fief. Einsiedeln Abbey held the patronage from 1468, until it passed to the canton of Schaffhausen in 1836. Records mention the dedication to John in 1434 and to John the Evangelist in 1490.

What will you see?

The hilltop setting gives views over the Rhine and the roofs of the old town. Interior access depends on opening times, so check with the local tourist office before you go.

How do you get there?

From the centre of Stein am Rhein, cross the Rhine by the bridge (a walk of about fifteen minutes) and climb the Burg hill. By train, Stein am Rhein station lies on the line from Schaffhausen and Kreuzlingen, and the church is a short walk from there.

Frequently asked questions

Is St. Johann the same as the Stadtkirche?

No. The Stadtkirche is the former collegiate church of St. George's Abbey inside the old town. St. Johann stands on the Burg hill within the Roman fort.

How old is the church?

The foundations go back to the 6th century, and it was first mentioned in writing in 799.

What was found during the 1976-78 restoration?

Two richly furnished aristocratic graves in a Roman building's ruins, along with traces of an earlier church with an apse.

Is it worth combining with the old town?

Yes. Only the Rhine bridge separates the two, so you can see both on a single walk.