THURGAU
- Apr 2
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 9
Thurgau is a green region of orchards and vineyards on Lake Constance, which is called the most peaceful place to live in Switzerland. And the coat of arms of the canton's capital will tell us one instructive story.
THURGAU: ICONIC LANDMARKS
The gardens and vineyards along Lake Constance create an atmosphere of complete relaxation.
Thurgau lies along the tranquil Thur River and the southern shore of Lake Constance . It is a canton of orchards, old farmsteads, and gently rolling hills, where water and fertile soil define the entire character of the landscape.
The shores of Lake Constance set the rhythm of life in the region. Small towns alternate with orchards and vineyards, and ancient castles recall the time when these lands controlled the trade routes along the Rhine.
Above the water rise neat villas and monastery complexes, among which the former Carthusian monastery of Ittingen stands out – a quiet architectural ensemble among gardens and fields.
Thurgau is known as the canton of fruit : in spring, the hills are covered in blooming apple trees, and in autumn, the markets fill with local cider and wine. It's also home to the Arenenberg estate , where the French ruler Napoleon III lived — a rare glimpse of near-imperial history in Switzerland.
The Thurgau landscape is best revealed along its rivers and lakes: the wide banks of the Rhine, the calm waters of the Untersee, and the winding Thur create a sense of open space. This is one of the gentlest and greenest parts of the country, where Switzerland feels less like a mountain fortress and more like a manicured garden.
THURGAU: COAT OF ARMS' HISTORY
The two lions symbolize the historical territories of the region.
Thurgau grew on the fertile banks of the Thur River — first as a county, then as a shared possession of several Swiss cantons, and in 1803, it became an independent member of the Swiss Confederation. Its history is one of changing governments without changing character: the lions on the shield remained, even when rulers changed.
The origins of the coat of arms trace back to the Counts of Kyburg, who ruled Thurgau since the 11th century. Their shield was austere and striking: a black field, a golden baldric, and two golden lions. The lions likely symbolized the union of two noble families, from which the dynasty arose. The ambitions of the Kyburgs were no less impressive than their predatory symbols: through successful marriages and politics, they expanded their influence over almost all of eastern Switzerland.
When the von Kyburg line died out in 1264 , their lands were inherited by the Habsburgs . But the lions were already firmly associated with Thurgau — and outlived their owners. After the Habsburgs took possession, the coat of arms changed: the black field gave way to red, the color of the new dynasty . The lions remained gold, the composition was preserved, but the tone became more imperial. In this form, the symbol was used for centuries — even when Thurgau was jointly governed by several cantons from 1460 onward. The lions on a red field were perceived as a historical symbol of the territory, not a specific power.
Even the French occupation of 1798 failed to impose radically new symbolism: revolutionary designs featuring Phrygian caps and allegorical figures remained on paper. The lions endured.
The twin lion motif itself is not unique to the region — similar heraldic pairs are found in the old family coats of arms of southern Germany and eastern Switzerland, associated with the Counts of Kyburg. But the Thurgau lions are the most stubborn: they changed their background, but not their character.
In 1803, when Thurgau became a full-fledged canton , the coat of arms was retained in form but changed in spirit. Red was replaced with green — the color of freedom in the new Switzerland. Gold was combined with silver (white), resulting in the modern green and white shield with two golden lions. This decision brought Thurgau into line with the fashion of the era: similar color reforms were also implemented by the cantons of Vaud and St. Gallen.
The problem is that the golden lion on a silver field violates the classic rule of tincture (the system of colors in heraldry): metal must not touch metal. Heraldists have been wincing for a century and a half. In the 20th century, attempts were made to "correct" the colors — new variations were proposed in 1938 and 1947. But parliament, for some reason, voted against them. And today, Thurgau remains a rare example of officially sanctioned heraldic paradox. The lions here are not only a symbol of strength — they are also a symbol of a certain stubbornness .
THURGAU: FUN FACTS
Of the ways to tame the king of beasts – the lion.
The capital of the canton of Thurgau, the city of Frauenfeld , bears a coat of arms that reads like a medieval comic strip with a twist ending. The shield depicts a lady, or rather, a "frau," and a lion. The composition is constructed in such a way that one can't help but feel the predator isn't the main focus here. It's present, but the woman is the visual focal point. Calm, confident, and without unnecessary drama.
The city's name literally means "Lady's Field" and the coat of arms seems to illustrate this literally. In a region where lions have symbolized the strength of counts and male power for centuries, the cantonal capital serves as a gentle reminder: strength comes in many forms. One can, of course, seek heraldic explanations and historical roots. But in the popular interpretation, the message sounds almost modern: no matter how much of a lion you are, there will always be a lady who can handle you.
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