When a fresh breeze blows over Lake Constance (in German, Bodensee), you soon feel like you're on holiday. The town centre is best explored on foot. Cycling along the banks of the lake is always an enjoyable pastime, or hop on one of the many boats to Meersburg or the island of Mainau.
Facts
84,911 Inhabitants ¹
16,397 Students ²
3 Higher education institutions ²
WELCOME TO KONSTANZ
Konstanz (sometimes known in English as Constance) is situated in southern Germany and is one of the country’s most popular holiday destinations. Located right on the border to Switzerland, the neighbouring Swiss town of Kreuzlingen has „merged“ with Konstanz so that the national boundary runs directly between houses and streets. On a clear day, you can see as far as the Alps.
The town dates back to Roman times. The old part of Konstanz is better preserved than those in many other German towns because it suffered virtually no damage during the two wars. There are still many interesting sights to see, especially from the medieval period. The „Konzilgebäude“ on the banks of the lake dates back to the 14th century. During the council of Konstanz, an ecclesiastical meeting, the papal election of Pope Martin V took place in the building in 1417.
The nine-metre high statue of Imperia on the harbour also recalls the time of the council. However, the figure of the courtesan should be seen satirically. The same is true of the Kaiserbrunnen fountain on Marktstätte. The many figures, such as the water-spouting lumpfish or three-headed peacock with papal crowns are a humorous reference to the council and the town’s history. You can find out about the origins of the satire in Konstanz.
The cathedral of Konstanz is one of the biggest Romanesque churches in the region and a prominent landmark in the town. The town hall with its historic frescoes and the Schnetztor, a town gate from the 14th century, are especially magnificent buildings.
Tip
Get on the Möwe boat to Hörnle and take a barbecue with you. This is a great way of spending a warm summer evening next to the lake. But please don’t leave behind any rubbish!
In addition to its unique architecture, Konstanz benefits from its beautiful scenic location on the lake. The Bodensee is one of the biggest lakes in Germany. During the „Bodenseewoche“ in May, the town’s attractive harbour promenade turns into a meeting place for everyone interested in watersports. Life takes place outside in the summer months, and several festivals are celebrated in this green town.
Interview
ERIK FROM THE USA
LIVING IN KONSTANZ
Konstanz doesn’t have what is referred to in other towns as a „scene“, life here is more low-key. Students live, e.g., in Fürstenberg and Wollmatingen north of the river Rhine. These districts are close to the higher education institutions but also conveniently located for the town centre. Within the town, it never takes you long to walk anywhere. To get to the institutes, it’s best to buy a second-hand bike.
In your spare time, you can buy yourself a drink and sit on the banks of the Rhine River. In the old part of town, you can buy great ice-cream, coffee and snacks or visit one of the many student cafes where you will meet not quite so many tourists.
In the evenings,you can visit beer gardens, bars and dance venues. Sometimes, concerts take place, too. The town magazine „Akzent“ suggests good places to go.
If you’re feeling too weary to walk, you can call a night taxi, which will drive you home. But it’s sometimes hard to get hold of a taxi, so it’s definitely a good idea to invest in a bike!
If you fancy a swim, look for a nice spot along , on or . You can also walk to the beach at Horn, also known as , or go aboard the „„. The ship departs from the harbour, to the left of Imperia. The Schänzle is the town’s biggest sports arena and sports grounds. Many students learn to sail in Konstanz or try out the higher education institution’s climbing wall.
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