The Plague in Rheinfelden
Take a walk with the Plague Doctor through medieval Rheinfelden. Learn how the plague raged and which expressions still remind us of it today.
On the Road with the Plague Doctor.
The tour guide takes you on a journey back to the Middle Ages, when poor hygiene conditions fostered the spread of epidemics. You’ll also learn about the idioms that originated during the Plague era and are still in use today.
Sebastiani Brotherhood of Rheinfelden.
A Rheinfelden tradition that continues to this day is the Sebastiani Brotherhood’s “Brunnensingen” (fountain singing) on Christmas and New Year’s Eve. Its members go from fountain to fountain and sing their song. In doing so, they ask that the inhabitants be spared from the plague. This custom dates back to the Middle Ages, when people believed that the fountains were contaminated and that the polluted water was to blame for the deadly disease.
Inside St. Martin's City Church there is an altar dedicated to the plague and the Brotherhood of St. Sebastian.
Accessible City Tour.
We are happy to accommodate your individual needs. Do you have participants with mobility impairments? Please let us know so that the tour guides can take this into account. The route will then be planned to ensure that there are plenty of places to sit at short intervals.
This tour is also accessible to people in wheelchairs. St. Martin’s Church has a small step. However, the double doors open wide, allowing wheelchair access without any problems.
Please note this in the comments field when booking online or give us a call.
Discover Rheinfelden with the Plague Doctor.
On this tour, you will be accompanied by our experienced city guides.
Robi Conrad, Michael Mittag, Kurt Rosenthaler
Further information
Highlights of this tour
- A theatrical tour with the guide dressed as a plague doctor
- St. Martin’s City Church
- Common anecdotes and idioms dating back to the Middle Ages
Information about the city tour
- Duration: 1.5 hours
- Price for up to 24 people: CHF 230
- School groups: CHF 170
Bookable for groups on any date.
Booking and Inquiries
Rheinfelden Tourism
City Office, Marktgasse 16
4310 Rheinfelden
+41 61 835 52 00
tourismus@rheinfelden.ch
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