Short tour of Constance

If you cross the market place, you will reach the Konstanz waterfront. In addition to beer gardens and restaurants, the numerous benches invite you to relax and enjoy the view over Lake Constance. Here, on the Pegelhäuschen, you can also find the ten-meter high Imperia, which has become a landmark. The stone beauty created by Peter Lenk depicts a prostitute who carries Emperor Sigismund and Pope Martin V on her hands and thus takes a satirical look at the old days of the city of Constance.

A walk through the romantically winding alleys of Niederburg, the oldest district of Constance, highlights the historic charm of the city of Constance and invites visitors to relax in one of the numerous cozy wine bars.

In Niederburg, you will also find the cathedral; the 76-meter high tower shows you the way. Our Lady, a former episcopal church that dates back to the early days of the diocese of Constance in the early 7th century. Architecturally, the existing building is a three-nave Romanesque columned basilica with a cross-shaped floor plan (consecrated 1089), characterized by the wide west tower block (12th-14th century), the Gothic side chapels (15th century) And the spire, which was only added in the 19th century, is overmolded in Gothic style. A special pilgrim destination is the Mauritius Rotunda, which is connected to the northeast, with an art-historically significant structure of the Holy Sepulchre. The cathedral was the episcopal cathedral for around 1,200 years and a meeting room of the Council of Constance from 1414-1418. Since the abolition of the diocese in 1821, it has served as a Catholic parish church.

If you follow Wessenbergstraße from Münsterplatz, you will reach Obermarkt. A small square that was the court of the imperial city of Constance in the Middle Ages. This was the pillory that served minor offenses. Emperor Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, also made peace with the Lombard cities here in 1183. The Haus zum Kemlin, today the HotelRestaurant Barbarossa, reminds visitors of the historic heritage of this place and offers visitors a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the special atmosphere over a delicious meal.

On the Kanzleistraße leading from Obermarkt, you will find on the right side the town hall of the city of Constance, which was formerly the guild house of the linen weavers. The façade was rebuilt in 1593 in Venetian Renaissance style. The frescoes on the front of the building (1864), which depict scenes and people from the history of the city, are worth seeing. Be sure to enter the courtyard, which is also influenced by the Italian Renaissance.

At the end of Kanzleistraße, you return to the market place, where the Kaiserbrunnen, created in 1897 by sculptor Hans Baur, welcomes you. Dada's water feature had lost its original figure decoration during the war, it was furnished with new busts in 1990 by Professor Gernot Rumpf and now contains many hidden, cartoonish allusions to Constance's past. In addition to sculptures such as water-spouting sea hares, a multi-headed peacock, for example, symbolizes the proud church ruled by three popes at the same time. Southwest of the fountain, the Haus zum Wolf, built in 1774, rises with its rococo façade unique to Constance.

The flower island of Mainau is a wonderful destination for all senses. In addition to botanical diversity, here you will also find Germany's largest butterfly house, a fragrance garden, a Mediterranean-style fountain arena and, in the heart of the island, the Baroque Teutonic Order Castle in which the Count Bernadotte family resides.

Opposite the entrance to Mainau Island, there is a sensory trail through the forest. Once at the top, the St. Katharina beer garden, a former monastery, awaits you.

And for the very brave: a climbing forest with around 120 exercises and courses, tree houses and a trained trainer. The various levels of difficulty take adventurous climbers through the natural high-ropes course up to a height of 30 meters.

Float softly, let the wind blow around your nose, enjoy the lake and mountains from a bird's eye view. Treat yourself to an unforgettable experience with an ultra-light flight from the airport in Constance.
(Dates: tel.: 07531 92440)

At the Sandseele campsite, you can watch the most beautiful sunset at the lake and enjoy delicious dishes, especially fish, made with fresh ingredients from Reichenau in the restaurant.

Cross the border once and stroll around Seeburgpark in Kreuzlingen during Sea Life! Bathe and relax on the sunbathing lawns, animal park and playground for the little ones. The observation tower and much more are free of charge. The mini golf course, boat rental and restaurants are also not to be missed.

The cart is Dornbirn's local mountain in Vorarlberg, Austria, about 1 hour by car from Constance. It is 971 meters high and belongs to the Schuttannenberge group in the Bregenzerwald Mountains. Despite its low dominance and scaffold height, it has been guided as an independent mountain guide on official maps since it was accessed by the cart cable car. On the top of the mountain, there is a great and highly recommended panoramic restaurant with a view over Lake Constance. Great hikes at altitude and to waterfalls are possible.