Wuppenau: Discover Nollen’s trails and churches

Wuppenau is a municipality and a locality in the Weinfelden district of the canton of Thurgau, Switzerland. In addition to the locality of Wuppenau, the municipality includes Heiligkreuz and Hosenruck, as well as numerous hamlets. Two themes are central when planning a stay: the trails around Nollen and the churches, each with its own architectural and local history. This lets you choose your destination based on whether you would like to focus mainly on trails and scenery or include historic religious buildings.

Trails and views at Nollen

Starting in Wuppenau, the barefoot and panorama trail circles Nollen in two loop options of four or seven kilometres. A 1.5-kilometre barefoot section includes sensory trails, a dark walk and a balancing course. Along the way, meadows, streams and forest floors alternate with specially built sensory stations and short stony or paved sections. The stations are maintained seasonally; the trail is accessible at any time and is free of charge. The four-kilometre panorama trail is suitable for pushchairs.

Ten marked hiking routes from all directions converge in a star pattern at Nollen. Walking times range from 50 minutes to five hours. From there, the panoramic view stretches from the Hegau volcanoes across Lake Constance and the entire Alpine range to the Bernese Alps. A thematic alternative is the surveying trail: it leads from Weinfelden up to Nollen and explains the history and modern techniques of surveying on 24 information panels. WilMobil buses from Wil and PostBus services from Weinfelden provide connections to Nollen. Check the timetable before travelling.

Art along the way and the history of surveying

The Wuppenau sculpture trail runs from the Wuppenau village shop via Nollen, Hosenruck and Gabris to Heiligkreuz. A total of 26 sculptures by artist Urs-Antoine Stöckli can be viewed along the way, with abstract and figurative works alternating. The sculpture trail can be reached by PostBus route 722, via the Wuppenau, Gemeindehaus or Wuppenau, Im Rank stops. Check the timetable before travelling for this route, too. The two themed trails offer different experiences: one takes you past sculptures in varied forms, while the other focuses on the history and techniques of surveying.

Churches and local history

The Church of Heiligkreuz is Late Gothic and has a recessed polygonal choir and a fortified tower alongside the choir, dating from around 1500. Its origins date back to the 9th century. A church wall several metres high surrounds the church and also encloses a simple chapel, the former ossuary, as well as the adjoining small cemetery. The church was extended and remodelled in 1937. Heiligkreuz thus brings together distinct periods: a history reaching far back, Late Gothic architecture and a later renovation.

The Catholic Church of St. Laurentius was built between 1706 and 1708 by Jos. Math. Wisli, replacing a small church. The old tower choir and the old tower shaft were retained. The high altar incorporates parts from St. Johann in Konstanz dating from 1721; the pulpit dates from 1710. St. Laurentius therefore brings together older surviving structural elements and furnishings with their own dates.

Welfensberg adds to the local history with a church first mentioned in 1275, featuring a Baroque altar richly decorated with gold ornaments dating from 1721. The little church welcomes visitors from elsewhere to spend time and celebrate.

Weddings at the churches

Wuppenau Church is used for weddings, and its surroundings are popular for wedding photographs. The parish church of St. John of Nepomuk in Heiligkreuz is also a popular wedding church and can accommodate around 120 people.

Discover more destinations: Lommis, Sirnach, Fischingen, Münchwilen.

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