In the Middle Ages, the area around Lake Constance developed into a flourishing economic and trading area. The surrounding towns formed alliances and monetary unions and established trading posts in centers such as Venice, Milan, Lyon and Bruges.

A large part of the goods traffic in and out of this economic area was shipped via Lake Constance and the Rhine. As the Rhine Falls were impassable for transport ships, the goods had to be loaded onto carts in Schaffhausen, transported through the town to Neuhausen and shipped again below the Rhine Falls. Thanks to the associated customs revenue and other lucrative services, Schaffhausen became a prosperous town in the Middle Ages.

With around 150 fascinating Archaeological artifacts from the period around 1000 to 1500 from four countries, the traveling exhibition illustrates the lively trade, medieval craftsmanship and everyday life between the Alps and the Rhine Falls.