Konstanz, Lake Constance

Mediterranean flair between historic walls

With its nearly 82.000 inhabitants, Constance is the largest town on Lake Constance.

Visitors will find here a historic - especially medieval - ambience. In and around the small alleys of the old town, there are many historic buildings,  Patrician Houses and guild houses, the cathedral, monastery and prebendary residencies,  the Late-Antiquity Roman Castell, the old town hall at the fish market, Upper Market, council building, the ring wall with more than 20 towers and gates, Powder Tower, Central Station (neo-Gothic), Emperor Fountain, the old department store at the harbour, in which the papal election took place during the Council of Constance in 1417 and finally the oldest part of the town, the Niederburg, where once craftsmen and low merchants used to live.

Today, there are cafes, taverns, fashion ateliers and artist studios. Another attraction is the Imperia at the port entrance. Constance has, with its numerous small street café’s, its South-European-style places and comfortable patios, a lovely Mediterranean flair.

This feeling is even intensified by the palms, lemon trees, Sequoias and orange trees, you can see on the close island of Mainau.

The easiest way to get to the island is by boat. Also other nice boat tours on Germany’s greatest lake are offered, like by catamaran, ship or ferry. Culture loving people will enjoy a visit of the Constance Theatre.

picture source: © piet / pixelio.de

 

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