How a Swiss canton once governed by foreign counts became a global public health pioneer.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Thurgau, a picturesque Swiss canton known for its apple orchards and cider, has a history far more complex than its rural charm suggests. Once a subject territory ruled by distant dynasties, it evolved into a sovereign state that made history by mandating the world's first compulsory smallpox vaccination program.

Located in northeastern Switzerland, Thurgau is defined by its geography, bordered by the Rhine River and the expansive Lake Constance. Historically, the region was far more vast than its modern 383-square-mile footprint. During the early medieval period, it encompassed territory that now belongs to the cantons of St. Gallen and Zurich. The region was inhabited by the Pfyn culture in prehistoric times and later became part of the Roman province of Raetia until 450 AD, when the Alamanni settled the land.

The political trajectory of Thurgau shifted dramatically over the centuries. Following the extinction of the Kyburg dynasty in 1264, the area fell under Habsburg control. This ended in 1460 when the Old Swiss Confederacy seized the territory, ruling it as a subject district for over three centuries. It was not until the formation of the Helvetic Republic in 1798 that Thurgau was declared a canton in its own right, eventually becoming a full member of the Swiss Confederation in 1803 under the Act of Mediation.

Beyond its political evolution, Thurgau holds a unique place in the history of medicine. On March 26, 1806, the canton became the first state globally to mandate smallpox vaccinations, an order issued by cantonal councillor Jakob Christoph Scherb. This progressive step stands in contrast to the region's traditional roots in agriculture, where it remains a significant producer of apples, pears, and cider. Today, the canton is a prosperous area with a population exceeding 280,000, maintaining a cultural identity that balances its deep historical ties to the Swiss Plateau with its modern industrial and agricultural output.

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