Uznach: Discover history and nature

Uznach lies where the Central Plateau meets the Alpine region and is part of both the Linth Plain and the pre-Alpine hills. Churches, older houses, and the ruins of Uznaberg Castle stand alongside the marshland, the stork colony, and opportunities for hiking and cycling. If you are looking for a hotel in Uznach, you can tailor your stay to your interests, whether that means architectural history, nature watching, or outdoor activities.

Uznach’s history in the townscape

The chronicle records the first documented mention of the Carolingian Church of St. Gall in Uznach in 856. Between 1200 and 1300, a Romanesque church stood at the center of a large parish in Uznach; St. Michael’s Chapel was founded in 1317. The town was founded in 1228–1229, and Uznaberg Castle is documented for the period from 1234 to 1268.

The Gothic parish church, the Kreuzkirche, was built between 1494 and 1505; St. Joseph’s Chapel followed in 1664. Architectural details of the Kreuzkirche include a remarkable portal to the sacristy and a delicate sacrament house bearing Uznach’s coat of arms. Finds and an original engraving of Uznaberg Castle are on display in the “Alt Uznach” room at the museUm Uznach. Admission is free during regular opening hours. Check the opening hours published for 2026 before your trip.

Other buildings also anchor the town’s history in specific places. Uznaberg Castle was built by the Counts of Toggenburg; only a few sections of wall remain from the original complex. Haus Falken survived the town fire in Uznach on the night of August 18–19, 1762. Wirtschaft zum Hof is the oldest well-preserved country house in Uznach and dates from the first half of the 18th century. The year 1730 is visible beneath the projecting roof of the timber-framed building. Rows of houses were built along Obergasse, south of the town wall.

Marshland, storks, and hiking trails

The marshland, with Möwenweiher pond, lies in the center of Uznach and is a fen of national importance. Another opportunity for nature watching is the Uznach stork colony behind the Kreuzkirche: around 30 storks live there throughout the year. Guided tours are also offered year-round. Check the current arrangements for guided tours before visiting.

There are numerous signposted trails in Buechwald for hiking, including the Panorama Trail. Uznach’s well-developed hiking network also includes numerous connecting and circular routes. This lets you choose between a named trail in Buechwald and routes designed as connecting or circular tours.

Tours, culture, and practical planning

The Farner circular cycling tour starts at Uznach railway station and follows cycle route no. 481 for 40 kilometers. If you plan to take the tour, check current route conditions before setting off. This helps you factor the stated distance into your day’s plans without confusing the tour with the hiking trails.

Kulturtreff Rotfarb offers a cultural program in Uznach that changes over time. Recurring markets include the Töniermarkt in January, the Maimarkt, and the Klausmarkt in late November. Market dates may vary from year to year. If a particular program or market is important to your trip, check the exact dates.

Train services run until midnight, and Linthbus services connect in all directions. Check the exact timetables before your trip, especially if your plans depend on a late train. This will help you coordinate your hotel choice with your planned activities and schedule.

Discover more destinations: Schänis, Amden, Gommiswald, Eschenbach, Weesen, Schmerikon, Hintergoldingen, Ernetschwil

Back to the regional travel overview: See-Gaster.