The Thurgau rural municipality of Märstetten near Weinfelden is noted for its beautiful townscape with splendid timber-framed buildings. Its location in the fertile Thur Valley at the southern foot of the Ottenberg makes it ideal for a variety of hiking and biking tours.

Märstetten is made up of the Märstetten and Ottoberg districts and several small hamlets. Haufendorf lies at the southern foot of the Ottenberg, between the vineyard slopes, fertile meadows and farmlands in the Thur Valley, one of Switzerland’s largest groundwater occurrences. Märstetten centre has several beautiful timber-framed buildings, including the «Hohe Haus», built in1613 as a tithe house for the Konstanz Canons (courtroom from 1620, with beautiful late-Renaissance wooden panelling).

The St. Jakob Church was a stage point on the pilgrims’ path from Konstanz to Einsiedeln. Known as the «Schwabenweg», from the Middle Ages the path was used as an approach to the Jakobsweg (Route of St. James). The massive church tower with a sundial on its south side and the frescoes inside the church are particularly impressive (The Last Judgement dating from 1470).

Märstetten has an extensive network of hiking trails on Ottenberg (e.g. vineyard path to Weinfelden); through the forests and meadows of the Thur Valley and along the romantic Kemmenbach. In summer the Wisterenweiher (pond) offers an invitation to bathe. Märstetten also offers a riding school and donkey trekking. Cross-country ski runs are prepared on Ottenberg when there is sufficient snow.

Highlights

• Timber-framed houses – the centre of Märstetten has several beautiful timber-framed buildings.
• Ottenberg – Märstetten’s local mountain and Weinfelden with views over the Thur Valley and to the Alps. With Rebenweg (vineyard path).
• Boltshausen – small farming hamlet belonging to Märstetten with a particularly attractive roof landscape.
• Altenklingen Castle – one of the best-known castles in Thurgau (Wigoltingen Municipality), in late-Renaissance style (privately owned).
• Conny-Land family and recreation park in Lipperswil - dolphinarium, sea lions, parrot circus, petting zoo, bouncy castle, dodgems, dino park and playground.