Konstanz, 1 hôtel

Constance Minster is the tallest and most imposing building in Konstanz old town. The Minster was for 12 years the Cathedral of the bishops of Constance and served as the Council meeting venue. These days the Minster is a Catholic parish church, and one of the Germany’s largest Roman Catholic churches. Due to successive remodelling and renovation works, its architecture is a mix of various styles from different eras. In the 19th century the neo-Gothic spire was added, and inside you can see design features from the Baroque, classicist and neo-Gothic periods. With its many points of interest, Constance Minster is always well worth a visit.

Constance Lake Front is one of the biggest gateways from which you can explore the Lake Constance region aboard a little ferry or catamaran. During the season from April to October there are daily crossings to the islands of Mainau and Reichenau. 356 days a year you can drive to Meersburg and Friedrichshafen, and cross over to the other side by bike, by car or on foot. There’s even a restored historic ferry running between Constance and Meersburg. While crossing Lake Constance, however you choose to do so, you can enjoy a wonderful view. 

Islands are not always of the Caribbean variety. On Mainau Island in Lake Constance you can unwind at least as effectively and enjoy the peace and quiet of its natural setting. The flower island will enchant all your senses with some one million tulips, hundreds of rhododendrons, fragrant roses, shrubs and colourful dahlias. In the middle of the island you can admire giant redwoods. And if this is still not quite exotic enough for you, you can pay a visit to the tropical butterfly house with its unique butterflies and plants, or to the palm tree house. The island is open all year round from sunrise to sunset.

By catamaran the crossing from Constance to Friedrichshafen takes 50 minutes. Right on the waterfront in Friedrichshafen you’ll find the Zeppelin Museum. Following remodelling work carried out over several years, it now displays the world’s largest airship collection: over 1,500 exhibits across 4,000 m3. The highlight of the museum is the life-size replica of the Hindenburg (LZ 129), whose passenger cabins are accessible to visitors. You’ll like this multimedia exhibition with hands-on history and tech displays! 

Few artistic landmarks are as controversial as the Imperia in Constance. The statue on the city’s waterfront by sculptor Peter Lenk was installed in 1993 upon the initiative of the tourist board. The nine-metre-tall sculpture, weighing 18 tonnes, takes less than four minutes to turn on its axis. The scantily-clad lady with an opulent décolletée holds two other sculptures in her outstretched hands: Two naked jesters complete with imperial orb and papal tiara. Objections against the statue were raised mainly by the Church and conservative city councillors. Nevertheless, it is now one of the best-loved tourist attractions in Constance.

Niederburg is one of the oldest and most romantic districts of Constance. The well-loved narrow alleyways north of the Minster are packed with rows of shops, restaurants and wine taverns. The district south of the former bishop’s residence was previously home to craftspeople, fishermen, merchants and also wealthy canons. Although some of the buildings were destroyed by a major fire in 1355, you can find buildings from the late Middle Ages still standing there. Whilst checking out the district you may happen upon the Zoffinger monastery and the Spitalkellerei wine cellar and wine merchant.