Insel Werd
River island near Eschenz with the St. Otmar pilgrimage chapel, a Franciscan convent and a small archaeological exhibition open by appointment.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Insel Werd lies where the Rhine leaves the Untersee, near Stein am Rhein, and is one of the oldest settlement sites in the Lake Constance region. A wooden footbridge leads from the village of Eschenz to the island. The prehistoric lake-dwelling settlements near the island have been part of the UNESCO World Heritage since 2011.
Saint Otmar, the first abbot of the monastery of St. Gallen, died in exile on the island in 759; a relic of his can still be seen in the chapel today. The oldest parts of the chapel date from shortly before 864. The property belongs to the Benedictine abbey of Einsiedeln and is leased to the Swiss Franciscans, who have lived on the island since 1957. A pilgrimage Mass is held every Wednesday, and the Liturgy of the Hours is open to the public.
In the Franciscan convent, the Amt für Archäologie des Kantons Thurgau shows a small exhibition of ground finds from the island, which can be viewed by appointment. During extreme low water in the winter of 2005/06, large stretches of shoreline and prehistoric finds came to light; a selection of these, together with Roman and medieval original finds, is shown at the entrance to the refectory. Further important finds from the region are held in the Museum Eschenz and in the Museum für Archäologie in Frauenfeld.
Highlights
- Pilgrimage chapel of St. Otmar with a relic, oldest parts from shortly before 864
- Small exhibition of the Amt für Archäologie with ground finds from the island (by appointment)
- Franciscan convent on one of the oldest settlement islands in the Lake Constance region
- Access via the wooden footbridge from Eschenz
Permanent exhibition
- Bodenfunde von der Insel Werd – Small exhibition designed by the Amt für Archäologie in the Franciscan convent, with finds from the island; accessible by appointment.
- Operated by
- Franziskanerkonvent (Eigentümerin: Benediktinerabtei Einsiedeln); Ausstellung: Amt für Archäologie des Kantons Thurgau
Admission & discounts
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Kids & families
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Stein am Rhein · 20-min walk
By Thurbo line S1 or S29 to Stein am Rhein; by the URh passenger ferry (Kreuzlingen–Schaffhausen) to Schifflände Stein am Rhein. From there walk to Eschenz and across the wooden bridge directly to the island.
By car
Parking available
Parking area Insel Werd in Eschenz (event venue according to the Museum Eschenz).
The walk from Schifflände in Stein am Rhein takes about 20 minutes.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | Registration for the exhibition with the Amt für Archäologie des Kantons Thurgau; the convent can be reached at +41 52 741 26 62. The island is reached via the wooden footbridge from Eschenz. |
|---|
