The Inseli in new splendor
It is the favorite place of many people who live in Rheinfelden and the region. A place where you can unwind and feel like you're on vacation. The Inseli has been renovated in recent months. Rolf Banz has been supervising the work as project manager from the Rheinfelden town planning office.
No matter what time of day or year I enter the Inseli. It could be early in the morning, after a hard day's work or at the weekend. I always feel a very special atmosphere and feel like I'm on vacation. From one moment to the next, everyday life is far away and I simply enjoy the beautiful natural surroundings. There are only a few people on the Inseli this afternoon and I quickly find my conversation partner, who tells me a lot about the Inseli and the renovation work that has taken place here in recent months.
Rolf Banz is the civil engineering project manager at the town of Rheinfelden and has been overseeing the renovation work.
"Now everything should be a bit greener," he says and explains that nine new trees and around 500 cuttings were planted as part of the renovation.
Off to new shores
Restoring the banks was one of the main tasks of the Inseli renovation. Steps made of sand-lime blocks were built to make access to the Rhine easier.
"To ensure that the steps can be used by all visitors, we will install additional steps with a lower height in some places," explains Rolf Banz.
The stone baskets with the metal wires that used to secure the Inseli were getting on in years and it was high time to replace them due to the risk of injury.
During the renovation, not only the needs of people but also those of animal visitors were taken into account. In addition to around 670 tons of ashlars for the steps, 925 tons of wild stones were also used.
Rootstocks, dead wood and various wooden structures have also been placed on the Inseli so that our animal co-inhabitants feel at home and can find protection from the current.
In addition to the bank stabilization and the new trees and plants, the surface design is also one of the important works associated with the Inseli restoration. There used to be a path in the center of the Inseli. This ran along a concrete pipeline that led downstream to the tip of the island, where it supplied a signal with power. New marl paths have now been laid leading to the various shore points.
Six months construction time
Construction began on September 9, 2024 and the Inseli was reopened to the public on March 24, 2025.
"The weather, flooding and snow delayed the work by around six weeks," reports Rolf Banz.
The builders of the renovation, which cost around 950,000 Swiss francs, were the Augst power plant, the Wyhlen power plant and the town of Rheinfelden.
The project manager seems to be satisfied with the Inseli renovation. It is clear that the Inseli is alive and will have to withstand flood situations from time to time in the future.
It is also clear that it will continue to be the favorite place of many people and animals. Here you can swim, relax, enjoy... simply unwind for a few moments.
"It would be nice if all visitors left the Inseli as they would like to find it themselves. Namely clean and without any garbage left lying around," wishes Rolf Banz.
After the conversation, I linger for a while at this beautiful spot, enjoying the Rhine, nature and watching the duck family. The ducks that have remained loyal to the Inseli during the entire renovation and have hatched their eggs in the middle of the construction site.
They are glad that a little peace has returned to their island. Quiet that will soon be over. Namely, when the warmth and summer come and many Inseli lovers will once again flock to this beautiful place...
Janine Tschopp is a freelance journalist. She writes regularly for the Neue Fricktaler Zeitung, the cultural magazine "2x Rheinfelden" and the Rheinfelden Christmas magazine, among others.
Inseli Burgstell
