Rorschach Attractions
The old port of Rorschach, lying at the foot of the Rorschacher Berg in a wide bay, the most southerly in Lake Constance (Obersee), was once an important trading post for the town of St Gallen. Its principal industries are textiles, metalworking and piano manufacture ("Sabel"). The pumping station for the supply of Lake Constance water to St Gallen is here.
The development of Rorschach was closely bound up with economic prosperity of the abbey of St Gallen. As early as A.D. 947 it was granted the right to hold markets, coin money and levy tolls by the Abbot of St Gallen. The old dock was enlarged in 1484, enabling the town to carry on a considerable trade, particularly in corn. In the 18th C. the linen trade also flourished. In 1803, on the dissolution of the abbey, Rorschach passed to the canton of St Gallen.
The development of Rorschach was closely bound up with economic prosperity of the abbey of St Gallen. As early as A.D. 947 it was granted the right to hold markets, coin money and levy tolls by the Abbot of St Gallen. The old dock was enlarged in 1484, enabling the town to carry on a considerable trade, particularly in corn. In the 18th C. the linen trade also flourished. In 1803, on the dissolution of the abbey, Rorschach passed to the canton of St Gallen.
Harbour (museum)
At the federal harbor in Rorschach there is a harbor station and the Kornhaus (Granary: built 1746, restored 1956-58), now houses a local museum (closed in winter; well-displayed collection of prehistoric material).
Hours
April 15 to November 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 |
| Open | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 | 14:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Mariaberg Monastery
On the hillside above Rorschach is the former monastery of Mariaberg (alt. 440 m/1,444ft), a teachers' training college since 1805, with a beautiful cloister (1519) and a Gothic chapter-house (music room).
Seepark (lakeside promenade)
To the east of the Rorschach harbor park stretches the beautiful Seepark (fountains) with a lakeside promenade. Not far south of the park and the harbor the main road runs parallel to the lake with a number of prettily decorated 18th C. houses.
St Columban Church
South of Rorschach's Seepark stands the Roman Catholic parish church of St Columban (Baroque, 1645-67; nave altered 1783).
Staad
The cliffs "Grosser Schrönteler" and "Kleiner Schrönteler" can be seen from Rorschach's easterly suburb of Staad.
Rorschach Surroundings
St Anna Schloss (Rossbüehel)
Past the Mariaberg monastery turn left to reach, 2km/1mi from Rorschach, St Anna Schloss (568 m/1,864ft; private property), with extensive views.; then to the top of Rossbüehel (964 m/3,163ft; one hour), with views of five countries.
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Heiden railroad
7km/4mi south of Rorschach in the canton of Appenzell are the holiday resorts of Heiden and Wienacht, which can be reached by cog-railroad in 25minutes.
Rorschach (Goldach - Sulzberg Castle)
4km/2mi southwest of Rorschach by way of Goldach is Schloss Sulzberg or the Möttelischloss (550 m/1805ft; private property), with a 13th C. tower.
Wilen (Schloss Wartegg)
From Mariaberg monastery in Rorschach take the Goldach road which runs 3km/2mi east to Wilen, with Schloss Wartegg (1557: beautiful park) where the Austrian royal family took refuge after the First World War.
