9 Places of interest in Rheinfelden

Anyone strolling through the old town of Rheinfelden will discover medieval towers, magnificent fountains, hidden courtyards and, time and again, the view of the Rhine, which has shaped the life of the town for centuries. Many of Rheinfelden's most important sights are just a few minutes' walk from each other - ideal for a relaxed stroll.

Whether historical buildings such as Rheinfelden Town Hall, the idyllic Inseli Rheinfelden or lovely details such as the carillon in the Rumpel: Rheinfelden combines past and present in a charming way. In this article, I present nine sights that I consider to be among the most important in Rheinfelden.

1st Rheinfelden Town Hall

Centrally located in the old town, Rheinfelden Town Hall is one of the town's most impressive buildings. The baroque façade from the 18th century, the massive tower and the peaceful inner courtyard make it a popular photo motif and an important historical monument.

The town hall was rebuilt after a fire in 1531. The tower with its striking battlements dates back to the Zähringer period. The façade is particularly striking with several coats of arms - including those of Austria, the County of Hauenstein and the town of Rheinfelden. They are a reminder that Rheinfelden was under Habsburg influence for a long time.

In the inner courtyard are monumental murals by the artist Paul Altherr from the early 20th century. They depict historical scenes such as Winkelried's heroic death at the Battle of Sempach and are seen as the town's clear commitment to Switzerland.

2nd carillon in the Rumpel

Works of art by Christina Frey tell the story of the rulers of Rheinfelden.

The carillon in the Rumpel is one of Rheinfelden's most popular attractions, especially for families with children. Several times a day, a small goat - known as a "Geiss" in Swiss German - moves across the carillon accompanied by music.

The scene is reminiscent of a local legend from the Thirty Years' War: a cunning tailor is said to have sewn himself into the skin of a goat and appeared on the town wall, bleating. The Swedish besiegers took this as a sign of plentiful supplies and left.

The goat is still a mascot of the town today. In the old town of Rheinfelden, it can be seen again and again - as a statue, house decoration or even alive at the stork nest tower.

3rd Inseli Rheinfelden (Burgstell)

The Inseli Rheinfelden, also known as Burgstell, is one of the most historic places in the town. Stein Castle - the residence of King Rudolf of Rheinfelden - once stood on the prominent rock in the Rhine.

The Counts of Rheinfelden built a castle here as early as the 10th century, which was later used by the Zähringen dynasty and King Rudolf of Habsburg. It was destroyed in 1446 during the war between Austria and Basel. Today, no buildings of the former complex remain, but its history can still be felt.

A special attraction is the Rhine bridge, which has connected the Inseli with both banks of the Rhine for centuries. Today, Inseli is a well-kept park with a view of the Rhine and the Old Town - ideal for a short break in the greenery.

4 The Rhine

The Rhine is much more than a natural border between Rheinfelden Switzerland and Rheinfelden Baden - it is a lifeline, meeting place and recreational area all in one. Walks along the banks, restaurants with a view of the Rhine and the popular Rhine swimming are an integral part of everyday life in Rheinfelden.

The Rhine bridge not only connects two countries, but also history and the present. The Rhine characterizes the townscape and is an integral part of Rheinfelden.

5th Messerturm

The striking Messerturm tower rises at the north-eastern end of the old town, directly on the Rhine. Its triangular ground plan juts out into the riverbed, giving it a particularly defensive appearance.

The Messerturm was part of the medieval town fortifications and, according to legend, also served as a place for embarrassing interrogations. The so-called "upper Stüblin" was only accessible via the battlements. It is not clear where the name comes from - the tower may symbolically "cut" the waters of the Rhine.

Today, the Messerturm is an impressive relic from Rheinfelden's defensive history.

6th Stork Nest Tower

The Stork's Nest Tower is the eastern end of the old town and owes its name to the storks that nest here every year. Today's tower is around 28 meters high and dates back to the 13th century.

Bullet marks on the east side are still a reminder of the Swedish attack during the Thirty Years' War. Although the tower is not freely accessible, it can be visited as part of a guided tour of the town. It is particularly worth taking a look up in summer: This is when the storks raise their young here.

7 The alleyways of the old town of Rheinfelden

The old town of Rheinfelden is characterized by its many winding alleyways, which run like a network through the historic town center. Cobblestones, narrow passages and small squares give the town center a special charm and turn every walk into a little voyage of discovery.

The alleyways are lined with owner-managed stores, boutiques and specialist stores. In between, cafés and restaurants invite you to take a break and watch the hustle and bustle. It is precisely this mixture of everyday life and history that makes the old town so appealing.

8th Obertorturm

The Obertorturm is considered the most important defensive tower of Rheinfelden's medieval town fortifications. It is famous for its tower clock, which does not strike on the hour but a few minutes earlier.

This peculiarity had a practical purpose: farmers outside the city walls were to be warned in good time before the gates were closed. The term "gate-closing panic" is said to have originated from this tradition. The story of the early chimes is one of the charming peculiarities of the town and is one of several special features that characterize Rheinfelden.

9th Albrecht Fountain

The Albrechtsbrunnen fountain with the statue of Archduke Albrecht VI is enthroned on Albrechtsplatz. The figure is a copy; the original from the 16th century is now in the Fricktaler Museum.

The fountain used to stand by the town hospital and was therefore also known as the hospital fountain. Today it is a popular meeting place in the old town of Rheinfelden and is a listed building.

Old town, the Rhine and history - a summary

The sights of Rheinfelden impressively demonstrate how lively history can be. Between medieval towers, historic fountains and the constantly flowing Rhine, a town unfolds that preserves its past while living in the present. The old town of Rheinfelden in particular, with its short distances, invites you to discover the most important places on foot.

Whether it's the imposing Rheinfelden Town Hall, the historic Inseli Rheinfelden or hidden details such as the carillon in the Rumpel - every sight tells its own story.

My tip: If you want to delve deeper into history, the best way to discover Rheinfelden is on a guided tour of the town.

Jacqueline Russo is Product and Marketing Manager at Tourismus Rheinfelden. Born in Basel, she initially only knew the town as the home of Feldschlösschen beer and the "sole uno" wellness world. She has since grown fond of the Zähringerstädtli and Rheinelden almost feels like a second home.