Wagenhausen: Provostry Church, Trotte and Rhine Route

A stay in Wagenhausen can be shaped around two very different buildings: the provostry church on the left bank of the Rhine below Stein am Rhein, and the Trotte. The church serves as the parish church for the Evangelical parish of Wagenhausen. The Trotte stands out for its distinctive construction and cultural-historical significance; it is also located in a landscape of national importance. These two buildings offer different thematic points of focus: the church highlights its role in the parish and the history of the monastery, while the Trotte draws attention to its architecture, landscape and cultural history. You can therefore shape your stay around the topics you would like to explore in more depth.

Provostry Church and Monastic History

At the provostry church, a section of a former arcade is visible, revealing the original three-aisled basilica. A three-aisled basilica is divided into a central nave and two side aisles; the arcade points to this earlier architectural form. In this way, the church’s present-day function as a parish church connects with a specific architectural clue to the history of the older church building. If you are interested in church architecture, this detail offers a tangible way to explore the history of the provostry church.

The bells include the Marienglocke from 1291, the Beatrixglocke from 1514 and a second Marienglocke from 1954. The dates span six centuries and provide a concrete timeframe for the church’s history. The date is especially important for the two Marienglocken: it distinguishes the bell from the late 13th century from the one dating to the 20th century.

After Tuto’s death in 1119, Wagenhausen became an independent abbey; in 1417 it was incorporated into Allerheiligen as a provostry. The two dates mark different stages in the monastery’s history: first the independent abbey, then its incorporation as a provostry. The east wing and the monastic basilica have survived from the former monastery complex. In the 21st century, the basilica served as Wagenhausen’s Reformed church.

The Trotte as a building in its landscape setting

The Trotte is considered the oldest press house in the canton of Thurgau. Along with its age, its distinctive construction and cultural-historical significance are among the features that set it apart. Its location in a landscape of national importance adds a landscape perspective to the building itself. Compared with the provostry church, the focus is different: there, the parish function, basilica and bells take centre stage; for the Trotte, it is its construction, cultural-historical significance and landscape. You can explore the two buildings according to your interest in church heritage or in architectural and landscape heritage.

The Trotte can be visited; please check the specific arrangements with the municipality in advance. Seasonal rentals with banquet seating and tableware are possible. If you are considering using it for an event, check the current arrangements in advance as well.

Routes connected with Wagenhausen

There are two specific route connections to consider when planning your trip: the Rhine Route, Route 2, includes a section from Diessenhofen to Wagenhausen; the “From Lake Untersee to Schaffhausen” cycling tour passes through the town. This gives you both a named stage and a cycling tour that includes Wagenhausen. The names help you distinguish between the two routes when planning around a specific section or the cycling tour’s route.

Discover more destinations: Mammern, Steckborn, Eschenz, Pfyn, Homburg, Hüttwilen, Berlingen, Müllheim Dorf

Return to the higher-level travel overview: Steckborn.