Eschen: Cultural Routes, History and Sport

Eschen combines historic buildings and cultural routes with a wide range of sporting activities. In Liechtenstein’s Unterland, Eschen-Nendeln is also associated with historic buildings and winegrowing. You can choose different focuses for your stay: discover religious buildings and historic utilitarian buildings, take a cultural circular route or explore the trails on Eschnerberg. Information about starting points, history and route itineraries will help you distinguish between these options.

Culture and History in Eschen and Nendeln

The neo-Gothic parish church of St. Martin was built in 1893/94. The Eschen mill is older: its building dates from 1778 and served for decades as a seigneurial wine press. The upper floor displays equipment and objects related to the topic of “nutrition”. Tours of the mill are available by prior arrangement, so please book ahead if you are planning a tour. The two buildings therefore highlight different aspects: the date when the church was built, and the mill’s former function and themed exhibition.

The medieval Pfrund buildings probably date back to the 15th century. A virtual 3D tour of the Pfrund buildings is also available, allowing you to explore them digitally. In Nendeln, the present-day Sebastian Chapel was built at its current location in 1935. The former Chapel of St. Sebastian and Rochus was endowed in 1639, built in 1686 and demolished in 1936. These different dates help place the history of Nendeln’s religious buildings in context without conflating the present-day chapel with the history of the former building.

Nendeln is also home to Keramik Werkstatt Schaedler AG, Liechtenstein’s oldest arts and crafts business. It adds an arts-and-crafts dimension to the historic buildings.

Cultural Circular Routes and Trails on Eschnerberg

The cultural circular route through Eschen starts right by the Pfrund buildings and is very easy to reach by public transport. In Nendeln, the cultural circular route starts at the primary school. It is about a ten-minute walk from the Sebastianstrasse bus stop to this starting point. The two circular routes therefore differ in their starting points: in Eschen, the Pfrund buildings are at the start, while the route in Nendeln begins at the primary school. For planning purposes, the approximate walking time from the bus stop mentioned to the starting point in Nendeln is also relevant.

The Historic Eschnerberg High Trail is a different type of route. Established in 1975, it comprises several circular routes and 45 information boards. The fourth stage of the Liechtenstein Trail passes the Rofenberg Chapel and follows part of the Historic Eschnerberg High Trail. Three routes intersect at the chapel, including the old pilgrimage route taken by pilgrims from Vorarlberg to Einsiedeln or Santiago de Compostela. Those interested in pilgrimage routes will find a specific connection here between a named trail and several historic routes. The stage number and the various circular routes are different points of reference and should not be combined into a single route description.

Sport and a Recurring Event in April

Football, athletics, hockey, rugby, archery and target shooting are represented at the Eschen-Mauren Sports Park. The list includes team sports, running and shooting sports, as well as archery, and shows which sports are associated with the park.

The traditional Bretschalauf takes place every April in Eschen’s village square. If the race is important to your travel plans, check the specific event date in advance. This allows you to factor the recurring April event into your plans without assuming a particular day.

Discover more destinations: Nendeln, Eschen, Ruggell, Vaduz, Triesenberg, Triesen, Gamprin

Go to the main travel overview: Liechtenstein.