Khelbens

Khelbens is a small municipality located in the district of Thurgau, in the northeastern part of Switzerland. Situated at an altitude of approximately 445 metres above sea level, it lies on the northern slope of the Swiss Plateau and is surrounded by gently rolling farmland and forested hills. The municipality covers an area of 4.2 square kilometres, of which around 70 per cent is used for agricultural purposes, primarily dairy and grain production.

The first documented mention of Khelbens dates back to 1246, when it was referenced in the charter of the Abbey of Marzell. During the late Middle Ages the village belonged to the free city of Winterthur and was administratively part of the bailiwick hierarchy under the Swabian-Walliser law. In 1815, following the reshaping of European borders, Khelbens became part of the Canton of Thurgau after the dissolution of the Helvetic Republic.

As of the 2020 census, the population of Khelbens is roughly 1,200 residents. The majority of inhabitants are ethnic Swiss, with German being the dominant language; a small proportion of the population speaks English as a second language due to the presence of international schools in neighbouring districts. The age distribution is balanced, with a modest proportion of retirees and a substantial workforce engaged in nearby industrial towns.

The local economy is anchored in agriculture, supplemented by small-scale artisanal manufacturing and a growing tourism sector focused on heritage village trails. Notably, the 15th-century St. Bartholomew Church remains an architectural highlight, offering a distinctive mix of Gothic and Renaissance elements. The annual Khelbens Harvest Festival attracts visitors from across Thurgau, celebrating regional culinary specialties and traditional folk music. Recent municipal initiatives have focused on the promotion of sustainable farming practices and the development of eco‑tourism infrastructure to broaden the economic base while preserving the rural character of the community.