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Arbon, Switzerland, Town Portrait

Arbon is the third biggest town in canton Thurgau [TG], eastern Switzerland, situated on the shore of Bodensee [Lake Constance], 13 km [8 mi] north of St. Gallen. Arbon is a district capital. Neighbouring villages are Egnach (TG), Roggwil (TG), Berg (SG) and Steinach (SG). Emigrants have carried its name to the USA (Arbon, Idaho).

Some facts & statistical data on Arbon TG

Population	13,100	[as of 2006]
Area	6.1 sq km	[2.36 sq mi]
Height above sea level	399 m	[1137 ft]

Transportation

Trains

Arbon town has a train station on the regional railway line Schaffhausen - Kreuzlingen - Romanshorn - Rorschach with two trains running per hour and direction from about 5 a.m. until about 11 p.m. In Romanshorn and Rorschach passengers may change to Intercity trains connecting the Bodensee region in northeastern Switzerland to the Lake Geneva region in southwestern Switzerland. Zurich International Airport is reached in 90 minutes, Zurich city in 100 minutes.

Road Transport

Arbon may be reached on separated-lane motorway A1 (exit St. Gallen).

Ships

The lake is navigable, boats serve mainly touristic purposes, however. A boat ride from Romanshorn to Rorschach with stop in Arbon takes 50 minutes, whereas trains take only 20 minutes. Consequently only a few boat lines are operated all year, those serving Arbon are restricted to summer months (May to September). Romanshorn and Friedrichshafen (Germany) are linked with a car ferry (all year).

Flights

St. Gallen - Altenrhein has an airfield with several flights to Zurich International Airport, Friedrichshafen (Germany) and Vienna (Austria) per day. Zurich Airport may be reached by train in just 90 minutes - which may even be faster than transfer to Altenrhein, waiting for departure and transit in Zurich.

Industry

Two industry companies play a major role in Arbon:

Saurer, producing textile machines (still a key player on the world market), and trucks (1903-1985)
Arbonia-Forster, producing air-condition systems

For more than 80 years, from 1903 to 1985, Saurer trucks made in Arbon dominated Switzerland's roads.

History

Arbon is an important archeological site for prehistoric lakeside dwellings. So the roots of this town go back several thousand years. When the Romans defeated the Celtic Helvetians in 59 B.C. and colonized Switzerland, they called the place Arbor Felix [latin: Lucky Tree].

Coat of Arms

Arbon's coat of arms is showing a tree and two fish. The tree stands for the Roman name Arbor Felix, and fishing was certainly important in the medieval town of Arbon, situated right on the lake shore.