Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostela
Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostela
vakantio.de/von-schleitheim-nach-santiago-de-compostela
Zuletzt in Schweiz
Posts14Pictures191TravelMapStats

First Pilgrim Stamp

Published: 29.06.2026

Oh great!
Oh great!
I thought,
I thought,
First Pilgrim Stamp
First Pilgrim Stamp
I'm really not a coward, but we were alone in the open field, and he looked into my eyes a bit too long for my liking. Eventually, we reached his bicycle leaning against a tree, and he rode off alone. Strange, but somehow also nice, I thought. The interpersonal interactions on my journey are gently increasing. On the first day, there were none, on the second day, there was one silent one, and today, there was a fleeting encounter. I can already picture myself in my mind just before Santiago de Compostela, surrounded by hundreds of people engaged in deep conversations. </p><p>In Ellikon am Rhein, we briefly stopped at the Restaurant Schiff. I had a small beer and a quick bathroom break. Meanwhile, Pipa drank half of the Rhine empty. Between Ellikon am Rhein and Flaach, we crossed a bridge over the Thur. A larger family is standing in the shallow water, splashing and walking around a bit, and I remember with a bit of nostalgia the time when the kids were small and our family was whole. We could have been one of them, such a harmonious and content moment in untouched nature. The closer we got to Flaach, the more brutally we felt the heat. The asparagus fields were cleared, and there was exactly one tree along the path. We sat down under it, exhausted from the heat. I unpacked my cereal bar and realized that I still didn’t have any food for Pipa. So, I handed the bar to her and nibbled on a few nuts. In wise foresight, I had set out with short sleeves and applied sunscreen to my porcelain legs again. In Flaach, we then took the bus to Andelfingen and from Andelfingen the train back to the car. </p><p>In the car, it bugged me that I hadn’t tried to get a pilgrim stamp in Rheinau. So we drove the short distance back to Rheinau to the monastery island. The monastery church was supposed to be open until 6 PM, according to the internet, and there was a stamp inside. It was 5:30 PM, that’s just about perfect, I thought. There were several smaller doors at the imposing church. We chose the middle one and blundered into a well-attended mass. It felt like all heads turned to the entrance to scrutinize the sweaty hiker and the dog with dismay. However, it wasn’t that bad after all. I took off my hat, and we positioned ourselves at the back in the corner to listen to the singing while standing. It was probably an Italian mass, and the large church was almost filled to the last seat. Everyone sang enthusiastically with full voices. A truly magical moment in this beautiful monastery church! I got goosebumps, and I, who almost never, really almost never cries, felt the urge to burst into tears. I held it back, but I couldn't prevent my eyes from getting moist. I had forgotten how atmospheric Catholic masses can be. Aside from one confirmation, I certainly hadn’t been to a Catholic mass in almost 20 years. How devoted the people were, they filled the space with magic. There were even cardinals and nuns present; something special must have been going on, and I was lucky to experience that special vibe. Even Pipa sat motionless, almost reverently beside me, listening to the sounds. We looked at each other; it was just beautiful to share that moment with her. A moment later, I saw a sign that said
I'm really not a coward, but we were alone in the open field, and he looked into my eyes a bit too long for my liking. Eventually, we reached his bicycle leaning against a tree, and he rode off alone. Strange, but somehow also nice, I thought. The interpersonal interactions on my journey are gently increasing. On the first day, there were none, on the second day, there was one silent one, and today, there was a fleeting encounter. I can already picture myself in my mind just before Santiago de Compostela, surrounded by hundreds of people engaged in deep conversations. </p><p>In Ellikon am Rhein, we briefly stopped at the Restaurant Schiff. I had a small beer and a quick bathroom break. Meanwhile, Pipa drank half of the Rhine empty. Between Ellikon am Rhein and Flaach, we crossed a bridge over the Thur. A larger family is standing in the shallow water, splashing and walking around a bit, and I remember with a bit of nostalgia the time when the kids were small and our family was whole. We could have been one of them, such a harmonious and content moment in untouched nature. The closer we got to Flaach, the more brutally we felt the heat. The asparagus fields were cleared, and there was exactly one tree along the path. We sat down under it, exhausted from the heat. I unpacked my cereal bar and realized that I still didn’t have any food for Pipa. So, I handed the bar to her and nibbled on a few nuts. In wise foresight, I had set out with short sleeves and applied sunscreen to my porcelain legs again. In Flaach, we then took the bus to Andelfingen and from Andelfingen the train back to the car. </p><p>In the car, it bugged me that I hadn’t tried to get a pilgrim stamp in Rheinau. So we drove the short distance back to Rheinau to the monastery island. The monastery church was supposed to be open until 6 PM, according to the internet, and there was a stamp inside. It was 5:30 PM, that’s just about perfect, I thought. There were several smaller doors at the imposing church. We chose the middle one and blundered into a well-attended mass. It felt like all heads turned to the entrance to scrutinize the sweaty hiker and the dog with dismay. However, it wasn’t that bad after all. I took off my hat, and we positioned ourselves at the back in the corner to listen to the singing while standing. It was probably an Italian mass, and the large church was almost filled to the last seat. Everyone sang enthusiastically with full voices. A truly magical moment in this beautiful monastery church! I got goosebumps, and I, who almost never, really almost never cries, felt the urge to burst into tears. I held it back, but I couldn't prevent my eyes from getting moist. I had forgotten how atmospheric Catholic masses can be. Aside from one confirmation, I certainly hadn’t been to a Catholic mass in almost 20 years. How devoted the people were, they filled the space with magic. There were even cardinals and nuns present; something special must have been going on, and I was lucky to experience that special vibe. Even Pipa sat motionless, almost reverently beside me, listening to the sounds. We looked at each other; it was just beautiful to share that moment with her. A moment later, I saw a sign that said
Dogs prohibited”! Of course, I had never seen a dog in the church! But I didn’t mind. In the end, I discovered a tiny drawer labeled
Dogs prohibited”! Of course, I had never seen a dog in the church! But I didn’t mind. In the end, I discovered a tiny drawer labeled
First Pilgrim Stamp
First Pilgrim Stamp
First Pilgrim Stamp
First Pilgrim Stamp
My first pilgrim stamp from the monastery church in Rheinau, a beautiful moment!
My first pilgrim stamp from the monastery church in Rheinau, a beautiful moment!
First Pilgrim Stamp
First Pilgrim Stamp
Untouched nature
Untouched nature
Peaceful family moments
Peaceful family moments
Stroll
Dachsen → … → Flaach
Schaffhauser-Zürcherweg
Eat
Restaurant Schiff
$ · Snack
Worth seeing
Klosterinsel Rheinau
Rheinau, Switzerland
Worth seeing
Klosterkirche Rheinau
Rheinau, Switzerland
Tour
Pilgerstempel in der Klosterkirche Rheinau
Activity

Day 3 / June 14, 2026 Schaffhauser-Zürcherweg Dachsen – Flaach

A week later, Pipa and I set off towards Flaach. This time we are better prepared. The waterproof On shoes are indeed very tight, but they have never given me blisters. However, they are not breathable, which made my feet sweat a lot. Fortunately, I noticed that before I set off for several days. This time, I dug out my rarely used hiking boots, slightly too big but comfortable. Additionally, I strapped on my new pilgrim backpack for the first time, attaching the hand-painted scallop shell to the back. Again, we started around 12:00 PM. We are just not early risers. How on earth will that work later when we are forced to leave the hostels early? With a cereal bar and a few nuts, we set off cheerfully.

The path is incredibly beautiful. It runs all along the Rhine, and yet we are well shaded by the forest. From Rheinau to Ellikon on the Rhine, we traverse very rooty paths. A cyclist seems to have not expected the path like this and is carrying his bike. A bit higher up, we sit on a bench. Out of nowhere, a middle-aged man appears and starts talking to me. He was quite communicative. He informed me that there are even bunkers by the Rhine and people grill there.

At a glance

Automatically extracted from the post
Length of time
1 Day
Weather
Summer
Accompaniment
With friends (2)
Mood
CulturalAdventurousRelaxing
Highlights
  • Weg entlang des Rheins
  • Pause im Restaurant Schiff
  • Messe in der Klosterkirche Rheinau
  • erster Pilgerstempel
Equipment
WanderschuhePilgerrucksackSonnencreme
Topics
NatureCultureEatAdventure
Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostelaLike a newsletter: every new post arrives via email.
3
4
39
Following along?Give “Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostela” a travel voucherFor a photo book of this trip, real postcards from the road or a year of Premium – with a photo from this post, by email on the day you choose.Give a voucher
Answer (4)

Claudiaabout 1 month ago
Die Wege , die Du schilderst rufen sicher bei Vielen von uns Erinnerungen hoch. Tatsächlich können Messen wunderschön sein....wenn man es zulässt sein Inneres berühren lassen . Rheinau ist sicher auch ein Ort der diese zulassen kann. Wehmut , Glück, Freude und auch Trauer... Wenn nicht Pipa, welcher Hund sonst. P.s habe schliesslich durch diese entzückende Dame meine Angst vor Hunden sehr minimiert. Meine Erkentniss von mir, auch ich kann Hunde lieben, und Hunde mich...

von-schleitheim-nach-santiago-de-compostelaBy Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostelaabout 1 month ago
Herzallerliebst Claudia! Pipa ist wirklich wunderbar!

Eli8 days ago
Typisch Anita😂😂spät los, hundefutter wieder vergessen, aber du machst immer das neste draus. Siehste, es musste so sein dass du den stempel vergessen hattest. Sonst hättest du die magischen momente der messe verpasst. Ich höre bei dir eine grosse sehnsucht nach kompletter familie und harmonie. Ich verstehe das voll. Es fehlt etwas, gell? Das mit Pipa in der kirche find ich lustig. Sie ist ja so lieb🫶

Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostelaBy Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostela7 days ago
Liebe Eli, wäre ich damals nicht komplett spontan und ohne Vorbereitung los, läge ich vielleicht immer noch leicht depressiv in meinem Bett. Einfach gehen war das Motto. Mittlerweile bin ich jedesmal top vorbereitet. Und sollte ich es mal nicht sein ist es auch nicht weiter schlimm. Das mit der heilen Familie… es ist jetzt alles gut wie es ist, aber ich bin halt auf meinem Lebensweg, und da schaut man auch mal zurück.

Switzerland
Switzerland
Travel reports Switzerland

More from the travel blog Von Schleitheim nach Santiago de compostela

Day top, Night flop!

Day 14, September 29, 2026, Via Jacobi, Brienz – Interlaken Even though I slept quite poorly, I set off before eight o'clock in a good mood after a wonderful hostel breakfast,...

Day 13: Via Jacobi Lungern-Brienz

Day 13, September 28, 2026 I had a wonderful sleep last n

Geographic center of Switzerland

Day 12 Via Jacobi September 27, 2026 Flüeli-Ranft (OW) – Lungern (OW) Once again, I could take a few days off and am sitting early in the morning on the train towards...

On the Bruderklausenweg

Day 11: Via Jacobi September 4, 2026 Oberdorf (NW) – Flüeli Ranft (OW) With slightly stiff limbs, I climb out of the straw at 7:00 AM today and prepare for breakfast. It was...

Other travelers in Switzerland

Once all friends, please.

I stayed overnight in Bern, and the next day continued exactly as the evening had ended: with a lot of chatting. Plus, a really cozy breakfast with my friends. Just great people...

Refuel in Bern

From time to time I miss Bern, especially everything that is part of it for me: my friends. So I packed my bag and set off. The first stop was at a friend's place, including apple...

Walensee birthday

sauna cheers

Brienz 16./17.10.2026

Camping Aaregg, Plot 74 Day 1, sunny 16 degrees Mino is on Tour de Suisse this week. Silvia will meet him in Brienzwiler. We decide to stay in the area for one night and check...

Travel blogsCreate a travel blogPricesAgentic BloggingAPI & AI AgentsMagazineNewsletterAbout VakantioImprintTerms of UseData protectionCancellation policy