Canton of Thurgau

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Canton of Thurgau
Abbreviation TG
Capital Frauenfeld
Official language German
Admission to the Confederation 1803
Area 991 km²
Population 302'765 (31 December 2025, provisional)
Population density approximately 306 inhabitants per km²
Districts 5
Political municipalities 80
Highest point Hohgrat, 991 m above sea level
Website www.tg.ch

The Canton of Thurgau is a German-speaking canton in the north-east of Switzerland. Its capital is Frauenfeld. Thurgau borders the cantons of Schaffhausen, Zürich and St. Gallen, as well as the German state of Baden-Württemberg. In the north, Lake Constance, the Untersee and the Rhine form a natural border with Germany over long stretches.

The canton is named after the Thur, which flows through it from south-east to north-west. The landscape of Thurgau is characterised by gentle hills, agricultural plains, orchards, vineyards and long stretches of shoreline along Lake Constance. Because of its important fruit-growing industry, the canton is also known in Swiss usage by the humorous nickname “Mostindien”.

With an area of approximately 991 square kilometres, Thurgau is one of Switzerland’s medium-sized cantons. At the end of 2025, according to provisional figures from the Federal Statistical Office, 302'765 people lived in the canton.[1]

Name

The name Thurgau is composed of the name of the river Thur and the Old High German word Gau, meaning a region or territorial district. Originally, the name referred to an area considerably larger than the present-day canton. Early medieval sources used it for a region that at times included large parts of what is now north-eastern and central Switzerland.

During the Middle Ages, the territory known as Thurgau gradually became smaller. From the late Middle Ages onwards, its extent increasingly approached that of the present-day canton. In French the canton is called Thurgovie, while in Italian and Romansh it is known as Turgovia.[2]

Geography

Location and borders

Thurgau is situated in the extreme north-east of Switzerland. Its northern border runs from the Rhine near Diessenhofen, across the Untersee and Lake Constance, to the vicinity of Horn. Germany lies on the opposite side of the lake and the Rhine. The canton borders Schaffhausen and Zürich to the west and St. Gallen to the south and east.

The cantonal territory extends from the banks of the Rhine and Lake Constance to the pre-Alpine hill country in the south. Its greatest west-to-east extent is approximately 60 kilometres. Despite its relatively small differences in elevation, Thurgau has a varied landscape.

Landscapes

Characteristic landscapes include the broad Thur Valley, the wooded Seerücken ridge between the Thur and the Untersee, the hills of the Ottenberg near Weinfelden, the Lake Constance region and the area known as the Tannzapfenland in the south of the canton.

The highest point in the canton is the Hohgrat, situated in the municipality of Fischingen, at 991 metres above sea level.[3]

The Thur is the most important river in the canton. It enters Thurgau in the south-east from the Canton of St. Gallen and flows through Bischofszell, Weinfelden and Frauenfeld towards the Rhine. Other important waterways include the Murg, the Sitter, the Lützelmurg and the Aach.

Lake Constance and the Rhine

Lake Constance is of great importance to Thurgau both economically and as a defining feature of its landscape. Settlements on its shores include Arbon, Romanshorn, Uttwil, Kesswil, Kreuzlingen and Steckborn. The lake serves as a source of drinking water, a transport route, a fishing area and a recreational space.

The western part of the canton is shaped by the Untersee and the Rhine. Historic settlements such as Ermatingen, Gottlieben, Steckborn and Diessenhofen developed in close connection with water transport and trade across the present-day national border.

Climate

The climate is comparatively mild by Swiss standards. The proximity of Lake Constance has a particularly moderating effect on temperatures. The lakeside areas, the slopes of the Seerücken and the Ottenberg provide favourable conditions for fruit growing and viticulture.

Apple and pear trees characterise the landscape in many parts of the canton. During the spring blossom season, the rural areas of Thurgau are among the best-known flowering landscapes in Switzerland.

Population

Thurgau has experienced significant population growth for several decades. This growth is concentrated particularly in the regions around Frauenfeld, Kreuzlingen, Arbon, Amriswil, Weinfelden and Romanshorn, as well as in municipalities with good transport connections towards Zürich, Winterthur, St. Gallen and Constance.

The largest political municipalities include:

Frauenfeld is the capital and the most important centre of the cantonal administration. Together with the German city of Constance, Kreuzlingen forms a cross-border urban and economic area. Romanshorn and Arbon are important towns on Lake Constance, while Weinfelden has a central role within the middle part of the canton.

Language and religion

The official language of the canton is German. In everyday life, eastern Swiss dialects belonging to the High Alemannic group are predominantly spoken. Depending on the region, the dialects of Thurgau show influences from the neighbouring cantons of Zürich, St. Gallen and Schaffhausen, as well as from the southern German Lake Constance region.

As a result of immigration, numerous other languages are spoken alongside German. These include Italian, Albanian, Portuguese, Turkish, Serbo-Croatian, English and various Eastern European languages.

Historically, Thurgau has had a mixed religious composition. Since the Reformation, strong Evangelical Reformed and Roman Catholic traditions have existed side by side. For a long time, the denominational composition varied significantly from one municipality to another. Today, a growing proportion of the population does not belong to either of the recognised cantonal churches.

History

Prehistory and the Roman period

The territory of present-day Thurgau has been inhabited since the Stone Age. Archaeological finds have been made at former lakeside and wetland settlements around Lake Constance, the Untersee and various inland areas. Several sites form part of the transnational UNESCO World Heritage Site Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps.

During the Roman period, Thurgau lay within the sphere of influence of important transport routes connecting the Alpine region, Lake Constance and the Upper Rhine. Significant Roman settlements existed near Arbon, known as Arbor Felix, and near Pfyn, whose Roman name Ad Fines indicates a frontier location.

Following the withdrawal of the Romans, the area was increasingly settled by the Alemanni and was later incorporated into the Duchy of Swabia.

Middle Ages

During the Middle Ages, Thurgau was not a uniformly governed territory. Land ownership and seigneurial rights were divided among various ecclesiastical and secular powers. Important influence was exercised by the Bishopric of Constance, the Prince-Abbey of St. Gallen, Reichenau Abbey, regional noble families and, later, the counts of Kyburg and the Habsburgs.

After the Kyburg dynasty became extinct in 1264, important seigneurial rights passed to the Habsburgs. Alongside them, numerous smaller jurisdictions, monastic territories and towns with their own rights continued to exist. This highly fragmented political structure survived in part until the end of the 18th century.

Common bailiwick of the Confederation

In 1460, the Confederate states of Zürich, Lucerne, Uri, Schwyz, Unterwalden, Zug and Glarus conquered large parts of Thurgau. The territory was subsequently administered jointly as a common bailiwick. From 1712, Bern also participated in its government.

The federal bailiff resided in Frauenfeld. The office rotated among representatives of the governing cantons. Many local seigneurial and judicial rights nevertheless remained in the hands of monasteries, towns, the Bishop of Constance and private judicial lords.

The Reformation led to considerable religious tension during the 16th century. Numerous municipalities adopted the Reformed faith, while others remained Catholic or developed mixed confessional communities. In some churches, Catholic and Reformed congregations used the same building for long periods.

Helvetic Republic and establishment of the canton

The arrival of French troops and the establishment of the Helvetic Republic ended Thurgau’s status as a subject territory in 1798. The region became a canton of the centralised Helvetic Republic.

Under the Act of Mediation, arranged by Napoleon Bonaparte, Thurgau received the status of an independent canton with equal rights within the Swiss Confederation in 1803. This year is regarded as the founding year of the modern canton.[2]

During the 19th century, a liberal political movement developed in Thurgau. The Protestant pastor and politician Thomas Bornhauser played an important role. The cantonal constitution of 1831 strengthened the political rights of the population and is regarded as an important step in the democratisation of the canton.

Industrialisation and modern development

During the 19th century, numerous textile businesses, engineering factories, food-processing companies and craft enterprises were established in Thurgau. The expansion of the railway promoted the development of Frauenfeld, Romanshorn, Arbon, Kreuzlingen and Weinfelden.

Romanshorn developed into an important railway and port town. Arbon became a centre of the mechanical engineering and vehicle industries. Industry, trade and cross-border services grew in Kreuzlingen.

Since the second half of the 20th century, Thurgau has developed from a predominantly agricultural canton into a diverse business location. At the same time, agriculture has remained highly important to the landscape and regional identity.

Politics

Thurgau is a democratic canton within the Swiss Confederation. Political rights include elections, popular votes, popular initiatives and referendums.

Grand Council

Legislative power is exercised by the Grand Council. It consists of 130 members. The parliament enacts cantonal laws, approves the budget and supervises the government and administration.[4]

One distinctive feature is that the Grand Council traditionally holds its sessions in two locations: it meets in Frauenfeld during the summer and in Weinfelden during the winter.

Government Council

Executive power is exercised by the Government Council. It consists of five members elected by the people. Each member of the government heads a department of the cantonal administration.

The Government Council is based in Frauenfeld. The administration includes the departments responsible for internal affairs and economic affairs, education and culture, construction and the environment, finance and social affairs, and justice and security.

Courts

Judicial power is exercised by independent cantonal courts. These include the High Court, the Administrative Court, the Compulsory Measures Court and the district courts.

The foundations of the cantonal political system are laid down in the Constitution of the Canton of Thurgau.[5]

Administrative divisions

Since 2011, the canton has been divided into five districts:

The districts primarily perform functions relating to the administration of justice and decentralised cantonal administration. They do not possess self-government comparable to that of the political municipalities.

Thurgau consists of 80 political municipalities.[6] Many municipalities include several villages, hamlets and former local municipalities. The present municipal structure is the result of numerous mergers and administrative reforms.

Economy

The economy of Thurgau combines agriculture, industry, crafts and services. Many companies are small or medium-sized and strongly export-oriented.

Agriculture

Thurgau is one of the most important agricultural cantons in Switzerland. Particularly significant activities include:

  • fruit growing
  • vegetable growing
  • dairy farming
  • livestock farming
  • arable farming
  • viticulture

The canton is particularly known for its apples and pears. Some of the fruit is sold as table fruit, while the remainder is processed into sweet cider, apple juice, fermented cider and other food products. The nickname “Mostindien” refers to this long tradition of cider production and fruit growing.

Wine is cultivated primarily along the Untersee, beside the Rhine, on the Ottenberg near Weinfelden and in other climatically favourable locations. Common grape varieties include Pinot noir and Müller-Thurgau.

Industry and crafts

Important industrial sectors include mechanical engineering and vehicle manufacturing, metalworking, the plastics industry, electrical engineering, food production and precision engineering. The construction industry and numerous specialised suppliers are also of considerable importance.

Bussnang is internationally known as a centre of railway vehicle manufacturing. A diverse industrial tradition has developed in Arbon, Kreuzlingen, Frauenfeld and other locations.

Services and the border region

The service sector includes trade, healthcare, education, tourism, financial services and public administration. The proximity of Zürich, Winterthur, St. Gallen and Constance creates a closely interconnected labour market and economic region.

Cross-border trade is particularly important in the Kreuzlingen–Constance area. Numerous people regularly cross the border for work, shopping, education and leisure activities.

Transport

Thurgau is well connected by roads, railway lines, shipping services and regional bus networks.

The A7 motorway connects Kreuzlingen with Winterthur and the Zürich metropolitan area via Weinfelden and Frauenfeld. Other major roads lead towards St. Gallen, Schaffhausen and the southern German Lake Constance region.

Important railway junctions are located in Frauenfeld, Weinfelden, Kreuzlingen and Romanshorn, as well as in Winterthur outside the canton. Railway lines connect Thurgau with Zürich, St. Gallen, Schaffhausen, Constance and the Rhine Valley.

Romanshorn has an important port. A ferry service connects the town with Friedrichshafen in Germany. Other scheduled passenger vessels operate on Lake Constance, the Untersee and the Rhine.

The canton also has a dense network of hiking and cycling routes. Routes along Lake Constance, the Untersee and the Thur are particularly popular.

Education

The education system is administered by the canton and the municipalities. In addition to compulsory schooling, it includes vocational schools, upper-secondary schools and institutions of higher education.

Cantonal schools are located in Frauenfeld, Kreuzlingen and Romanshorn, among other places. The Thurgau University of Teacher Education is based in Kreuzlingen. Owing to its border location, it works closely with educational institutions in the German city of Constance.

Vocational education has a high priority in the canton, which is strongly influenced by industry and skilled trades. Many young people complete an apprenticeship in a company while simultaneously attending a vocational school.

Culture

The culture of Thurgau is shaped by its location between Lake Constance, the Rhine, eastern Switzerland and southern Germany. Historic towns, monasteries, castles, rural architecture and industrial buildings form a varied cultural heritage.

Important cultural institutions and attractions include:

Arenenberg Castle was the residence of Hortense de Beauharnais and her son, the future French emperor Napoleon III. It now houses the Napoleon Museum Thurgau.

Ittingen Charterhouse is a former Carthusian monastery. The complex is now used as a cultural, museum, educational and conference centre. It houses the Art Museum of Thurgau and the Ittingen Museum, among other institutions.

Thurgau song

The Thurgauerlied, beginning with the words “O Thurgau, du Heimat”, is regarded as the unofficial cantonal anthem. The lyrics were written by Johann Ulrich Bornhauser, and the melody was composed by Johannes Wepf. The song is performed at cantonal celebrations and traditional events.

Tourism

Tourism is concentrated primarily around Lake Constance, the Untersee, the Rhine and the rural cultural landscapes. The region is frequently visited for cycling holidays, hiking, water sports, cultural trips and gastronomic excursions.

Popular destinations include:

  • the lakeside towns of Arbon and Romanshorn
  • Kreuzlingen and Seeburg Park
  • Arenenberg Castle
  • Ittingen Charterhouse
  • the old town of Bischofszell
  • Fischingen Abbey
  • the Rhine landscape near Diessenhofen
  • the historic settlements of Gottlieben, Ermatingen and Steckborn
  • the vineyards of the Ottenberg and the Untersee

The Lake Constance Cycle Route passes through the canton for long stretches. The Thurgau Circular Hiking Trail also connects numerous landscapes, villages and attractions.

Coat of arms and flag

The cantonal coat of arms is divided diagonally into silver or white and green fields. Each field contains a golden lion passant with a red tongue and red claws.

The lions originate from the coat of arms of the Kyburgs, who held important seigneurial rights in the territory of present-day Thurgau during the Middle Ages. When Thurgau became an independent canton in 1803, it incorporated the two lions into its new cantonal coat of arms.

The cantonal colours are green and white. The coat of arms is used as a symbol of Thurgau by cantonal authorities, public institutions and numerous organisations.

See also

Literature

  • Beat Gnädinger (ed.): Abbruch – Umbruch – Aufbruch. Zur Helvetik im Thurgau. Historischer Verein des Kantons Thurgau, Frauenfeld, 1999.
  • André Salathé: Thurgau. In: Historical Dictionary of Switzerland.
  • Johann Adam Pupikofer: Geschichte des Thurgaus. Bischofszell and Zürich, 1828–1830.
  • Johann Adam Pupikofer: Der Kanton Thurgau, historisch, geographisch und statistisch geschildert. St. Gallen and Bern, 1837.
  • Office of Archaeology of the Canton of Thurgau (ed.): Archäologie im Thurgau. Frauenfeld, 2010.

References

  1. ↑ Federal Statistical Office: balance of the permanent resident population by canton in 2025, published on 2 April 2026, accessed on 20 July 2026.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Historical Dictionary of Switzerland: Thurgau, version dated 22 May 2017, accessed on 20 July 2026.
  3. ↑ Office for Data and Statistics of the Canton of Thurgau: Thurgau in Figures 2025, accessed on 20 July 2026.
  4. ↑ Parliament of the Canton of Thurgau: the Grand Council, accessed on 20 July 2026.
  5. ↑ Constitution of the Canton of Thurgau, accessed on 20 July 2026.
  6. ↑ Office for Data and Statistics of the Canton of Thurgau: political municipalities by district, data as of 2026, accessed on 20 July 2026.
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