History of Altenrhein

The Roots of Altenrhein

Altenrhein is a unique locality whose history is inextricably linked with water. Located where the Rhine flows into Lake Constance, it developed not as a fortress or a trading city, but as a settlement shaped by the forces of nature and geography. Historically, Altenrhein is part of the municipality of Thal, with the first documented mentions dating back to the 12th century.

Factors of Formation

The transformation of this small coastal territory into a recognizable point on the map of Switzerland was driven by several key reasons:

• Geography of the Delta: The life of the settlement depended for centuries on the unpredictable nature of the Rhine. Proximity to water provided transport accessibility, but the marshy terrain required significant efforts to develop.
• Transport Hub: Lake Constance served as a vital artery connecting Swiss lands with German and Austrian neighbors, which contributed to the early development of navigation in this area.
• Influence of the Abbey: Like many lands in this region, the territory was under the historical and cultural influence of the powerful Abbey of Saint Gall.

Early Lifestyle and Economy

Before the arrival of the aviation era and industry, which transformed Altenrhein in the 20th century, the local economy was traditional in nature. Residents primarily engaged in fishing in the rich waters of the lake and agriculture on drained plots of land. The quiet and measured pace of life formed a special atmosphere of seclusion, which was combined with openness to the outside world thanks to the lake routes.

Major Milestones in Altenrhein's History

• 1926 — German aircraft designer Claude Dornier begins construction of a factory in Altenrhein, forever changing the fate of the small settlement and defining its aviation future.
• 1927 — Commissioning of the airfield and the first factory facilities, which became the foundation for the industrialization of the region.
• 1929 — The legendary flying boat Dornier Do X, at that time the largest aircraft in the world, took off from the waters of Lake Constance in Altenrhein.
• 1948 — The factory was transformed into the joint-stock company Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein (FFA), expanding its activities to the production of railway carriages.
• 1955 — The first flight of the prototype Swiss jet fighter P-16, developed by local engineers, took place.
• 1994 — Foundation of the association that launched the Aviation Museum (Fliegermuseum Altenrhein), with the aim of preserving historical aircraft in airworthy condition.
• 1997 — The rolling stock factory in Altenrhein became the property of Stadler Rail, becoming an important production center for the global group.
• 1998 — The foundation stone was laid for the "Market Hall" (Markthalle), a unique project by the famous artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
• 2002 — Official opening of the gilded "Hundertwasser House," which quickly became the main architectural landmark and symbol of the town.
• 2011 — Start of flights by People's airline (originally People's Viennaline), making St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport its home base and a key regional hub.

Key Stages of the Town's Development

The history of Altenrhein is an example of how a small settlement by the water was able to transform into a significant industrial and transport hub of Eastern Switzerland. Several fundamental stages can be highlighted that defined the modern appearance and economy of the town:

• Regulation of the Rhine (Rheinregulierung): Large-scale hydraulic engineering works to regulate the riverbed in the early 20th century had decisive urban planning significance. Draining the marshy lands in the delta allowed for the expansion of territory for safe construction and a future industrial zone, securing the settlement against regular floods.
• The Dornier Aviation Era: The arrival of Claude Dornier's company in the 1920s became a point of no return for the local economy. The construction of assembly halls and the creation of the giant Do X flying boat turned the fishing village into a center of advanced technology, attracted qualified engineers, and formed the industrial profile of Altenrhein.
• Diversification of Production (FFA): The transformation of the aircraft factory into the Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein enterprise in the post-war years allowed the town to occupy a niche in rail vehicle manufacturing. This decision ensured the economic stability of the region even during downturns in the aviation industry, laying the foundation for long-term industrial growth.
• Arrival of Stadler Rail: The acquisition of the carriage building plant by the Stadler group in the late 1990s gave a powerful new impulse to development. Today, modern double-decker trains operated all over the world are manufactured here, cementing Altenrhein's status as an important player on the map of European industry.
• Establishment of a Regional Hub: The evolution of the factory airfield into the fully-fledged commercial St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport opened the region to international connections. The appearance of scheduled flights (particularly to Vienna) made the town a convenient "gateway" for business travelers and tourists visiting Eastern Switzerland.
• Cultural Revitalization: The construction of the "Market Hall" designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser added a bright tourist magnet to the industrial town. This project changed the visual landscape and attracted a new category of travelers interested in architecture, diversifying the strictly business atmosphere of the location.

Architectural Appearance: From Hangars to Golden Domes

Altenrhein is not like classic Swiss towns with dense medieval buildings. Its architectural landscape formed relatively recently and represents a unique combination of utilitarian industrial zones and bright splashes of modern art. The development of the settlement was dictated first by the need to develop the marshy Rhine delta, and then by the needs of aviation and industry.

Industrial Functionalism (1920s — Present Day)

The basis of Altenrhein's buildings consists of structures designed to serve specific production goals. This is a strict, concise style where form is completely subordinate to function.

• Aviation Hangars: Historical hangars built for the Dornier factory are an example of the region's early industrial architecture. They are distinguished by wide spans and large-scale glazing, necessary for assembling large aircraft. Today, part of these structures is occupied by the Aviation Museum.
• Production Complexes: The modern workshops of Stadler Rail continue the traditions of functionalism. These are huge, high-tech volumes that form the silhouette of the town from the side of the highway and railway.

Organic Architecture and Postmodernism

Against the background of strict industrial forms, one object stands out in Altenrhein, becoming its main visual dominant and completely contradicting the principles of the straight line.

• Market Hall (Markthalle): A one-of-a-kind building in the region, designed by the famous Austrian artist and architect Friedensreich Hundertwasser.
  The style is characterized by:
  • An absence of straight lines and sharp corners.
  • The use of bright colors and ceramic mosaics.
  • Gilded onion domes, visible from afar.
  • A "green roof" covered with grass and trees, symbolizing harmony with nature.

Urban Planning Features

The layout of Altenrhein is conditioned by its geographical position in the Rhine delta and the history of land reclamation.

• Linear-Dispersed Development: Residential houses and farms are located quite sparsely, interspersed with green zones and fields. There is no tight historical center with a market square in the traditional sense.
• Influence of the Airport: The runway of St. Gallen-Altenrhein Airport is the city-forming axis around which the main enterprises and infrastructure are grouped.
• Connection with Water: The coastal zone near Lake Constance retains features of resort and recreational architecture with small harbors for yachts and walking areas.

Pioneers of Aviation and Engineers

The history of Altenrhein is inextricably linked with the sky, so the main historical figures of the town are the people who created and tested aircraft.

• Claude Dornier
  German aircraft designer and industrialist
  A key figure in the history of the town. In 1926, he chose Altenrhein to build a factory to bypass the restrictions of the Treaty of Versailles, which prohibited Germany from building large aircraft. It was here, under his leadership, that the legendary Do X flying boat was created. Dornier effectively transformed a quiet village into an industrial center.
• Hans L. Studer
  Chief Designer
  An outstanding engineer who led the development team at the FFA (Flug- und Fahrzeugwerke Altenrhein) enterprise. He is the creator of the Swiss P-16 jet fighter. Although the project was closed, Studer's work proved the ability of local specialists to create advanced world-class aviation technology.
• Hans Häfliger
  Chief Pilot and Test Pilot
  A military pilot who conducted risky tests of P-16 prototypes in the skies over Altenrhein. He went down in history thanks to a dramatic episode in 1958: when the aircraft's engine failed, Häfliger managed to steer the falling machine away from populated areas and land it in Lake Constance, successfully ejecting himself.

Figures of Culture and Business

The modern appearance and economic stability of Altenrhein are the merit of visionaries who invested in architecture and production.

• Friedensreich Hundertwasser
  Austrian architect and artist
  Author of the "Market Hall" (Markthalle) project, which became a symbol of the town. His philosophy of harmony with nature and rejection of straight lines gifted industrial Altenrhein a bright, gilded landmark that attracts tourists from all over Europe.
• Peter Spuhler
  Entrepreneur, Owner of Stadler Rail
  Played a decisive role in the recent history of the town. In 1997, he bought the local carriage building plant, which was on the verge of closure. Thanks to his management, the enterprise in Altenrhein became part of the Stadler group and one of the leading global centers for the production of double-decker trains.