Holiday in Konstanz

About Konstanz

Konstanz on Lake Constance is the largest city on Germany's largest lake and the only major German city south of the Rhine — the border with Switzerland runs right through the city. The historic old town was spared from bombing during World War II thanks to its proximity to neutral Switzerland and showcases a cohesive medieval urban landscape with beautifully painted merchant houses, narrow alleys, and the imposing Cathedral of Our Lady. The Council Building at the harbor, where the only conclave on German soil took place from 1414 to 1418 and Pope Martin V was elected, is a landmark of the city's history. In front of it spins the Imperia, a nine-meter-high statue by Peter Lenk, which satirically references the council and has become the most photographed motif in the city. The Niederburg, the oldest district, enchants with its winding alleys and the Romanesque Trinity Church. Mainau Island, the flower island in Lake Constance, is just a few kilometers to the north and delights with Mediterranean vegetation, a Baroque palace, and a butterfly house. The ferry to Meersburg takes just a few minutes to reach the picturesque wine town with Germany's oldest inhabited castle. Konstanz is an ideal starting point for boat tours on Lake Constance, excursions to Lindau, Bregenz, and the pile dwelling settlement in Unteruhldingen (UNESCO World Heritage). The university gives the city a youthful, cosmopolitan flair with a lively pub and cultural scene.