On Reichenau, medieval churches, reconstructed monastery gardens and the interpretation of the cultural landscape form a distinctive cultural focus. The views from Hochwart and a guided group tour on wine and vegetable growing add to the experience. When planning your trip, you can choose from a range of themes: monastic history, landscape or regional agriculture.
Monastic Island: Churches, Museum and Gardens
The remarkable ensemble of three medieval churches brings together architectural elements from the Carolingian, Ottonian and Salian periods and is considered a masterpiece of human creativity. The MUSEUM REICHENAU presents the Monastic Island as a cultural landscape. An exploration tour connects various museum sites with visits to historic buildings. Three museum units and the treasury in the Minster of St. Mary and Mark offer further insights into Reichenau’s cultural and historical significance.
St. George’s in Oberzell is a special highlight: the church contains the only fully and largely preserved ensemble of narrative wall paintings dating from before 1000 north of the Alps. Here, the focus is on the wall paintings in a specific church, while the museum presents the island as a cultural landscape.
The monastery gardens also draw on medieval sources on garden culture and reconstruct parts of them. Within the old monastery wall, the so-called “Quiet Precinct” contains the cloister, the Hortuli herb garden and the monks’ cemetery with its orchard. Parts of the grounds have been archaeologically verified. Together, these areas offer insights into different aspects of Reichenau’s historic garden culture.
Hochwart: Views of the Landscape
At 441 m above sea level, Hochwart is the highest point on Reichenau Island. From here, expansive views take in the Höri peninsula, the Hegau region, Bodanrück, the Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve and the Swiss lakeshore. Alongside architectural and cultural history, the landscape around the viewpoint also comes into focus. Access to Hochwart is via a step-free gravel path. Check before your visit whether this access is currently available.
Wine and Vegetable Growing as a Guided Tour Theme
The “From Wine Growing to Vegetable Growing” group tour takes place on foot and lasts around two hours. It introduces the distinctive features and development of wine and vegetable growing on Reichenau. The tour includes a vegetable snack and a tasting of three wines. Its approximate duration provides a clear timeframe for planning your day; the theme combines insights into cultivation with a tasting. As availability and the seasonal provision of snacks may vary, check the current conditions before making plans.
More Topics in the Wider Konstanz Destination
The wider Konstanz destination offers other, distinct experiences. The butterfly house on Mainau Island is home to up to 120 different butterfly species and subspecies from tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa and Asia. Ring bus routes 4/13 and 13/4 run between Konstanz station and the districts of Litzelstetten, Wallhausen, Dingelsdorf and Dettingen; they stop near the entrance to Mainau Island. Check the current timetable before travelling. For hiking, the well-signposted, 53-kilometre SeeGang premium trail connects Ăśberlingen and Konstanz and passes through the Lake Constance district and the district of Konstanz.
Discover more destinations: MĂĽhlingen, Hohenfels, Tengen, Eigeltingen, Ă–hningen, Aach, BĂĽsingen Am Hochrhein, Konstanz.
Go to the wider travel overview: Konstanz.
