Schaffhausen Guide

In summer, when the ice melts at high altitudes, its waters become even more abundant and cascade into massive rapids, in the middle of which is a cluster of rocky spurs with trees, which stand steadfast against the fury of the waters. This is the furthest point reachable by ferry, perfect for taking stunning photos. Schaffhausen is a medieval-origin city, a crucial road and rail hub due to its proximity to Germany, and a destination of significant immigration including from Italy. Its famous steel mills, chemical, mechanical, textile industries, watchmaking, and playing card factories have employed foreign labor since the 1960s. The charming and monument-filled old town, Altstadt, features the Fronwagplatz, the old market square, dominated by the medieval tower rebuilt in the 18th century with its astronomical clock (1564), two Renaissance-style fountains, and the Herrenstube, the seat of the ancient local notables’ confraternity. From the square starts the Vorstadt, a street lined with marvelous painted houses adorned with coats of arms, floral motifs, friezes, and precious scrollwork, leading to the imposing Swabian Gate, Schwabentor. Very characteristic is also the Vordergasse, with the 15th-century town hall and, at number 65, the famous Haus Zum Ritter, the Knight’s House (1566), frescoed with mythological stories, ancient Rome, and stunning allegories, the work of master Tobias Stimmer. The visit is completed by the Romanesque Cathedral and the imposing Munot, the 16th-century fortress that watches over the city from atop a beautiful vineyard hill.