Page 240 - (DK Eyewitness) Back Roads Travel Guide - Germany

238 BACK ROADS GERMANY

1 Konstanz
Baden-Württemberg; 78462
The largest settlement on the Bodensee, Konstanz (Constance)
avoided being bombed during World War II as it straddled the bor-
der of neutral Switzerland. As a result, its old town remains intact and is
a reminder of the time when the town thrived as an imperial Free
City. It became famous between 1414 and 1418, when the Council
of Konstanz met here to restructure the Catholic Church. The town’s
picturesque lakefront is dotted with promenades and statues.
A two-hour walking tour which have been converted into
From the car park turn left down a restaurant district beside a yacht
Fischmarkt and cross the main road, har bour. At the end of the promenade
Konzilstrasse, to arrive at the lakefront. lies the aquarium complex of Sea
Above A scene from the Chronicle of the Council Here stands the Konzilgebäude Life 3 (open daily). Walk back and
of Konstanz on the façade of a house, Konstanz (council building) 1, a conference con tinue to the opposite end of the
and concert hall that began life as a pro menade, cross the Stadtgarten to
VISITING KONSTANZ granary and warehouse. Its name the Insel, an island which was long
suggests that it probably served as occupied by a Dominican priory that
Parking a venue for the Council of Konstanz. is today the Steigenberger Inselhotel.
The most convenient car park is
just off the Fischmarkt on Münzgasse. Also linked to that era is the Imperia, Cross the Konzilstrasse and turn
a 9-m (30-ft) rotating statue of a right to a pedestrian underpass
Tourist Information woman at the end of the pier. It repre- that resurfaces on the banks of the
Bahnhofplatz 43, 78462; 07531 133
030; www.konstanz.de/tourismus; sents a courte san in an Honoré de Rhine beside the Rheintorturm 4,
Nov–Mar: closed Sat & Sun Balzac novel, who used her charms to a 15th-cen tury defen sive tower with
manipulate the Catholic clergy during a conical roof. The bridge over the
the Council. Back near the beginning Rhine leads to the Archäologisches
WALKING AROUND KONSTANZ
of the pier, another statue commemo- Landesmuseum 5 or State
rates Count Graf Ferdinand von Archaeo logy Museum (closed Mon),
The Rhine promenade begins at the
Archäologisches Landesmuseum in Zeppelin (1838–1917), a pioneer of which is housed in a former convent.
Konstanz and joins a lakeside path that airships who was born in Konstanz. Many of its finds are Roman, includ-
leads to the ferry terminal at Staad, and From here the lakefront prome nade ing 2nd-century bronzes of lion
beyond to Mainau, from where boats passes a series of old warehouses 2, heads and sea leop ards. Return ing
return to Konstanz. This enables a one-
way hike of around two hours, with a over the Rhine bridge
string of beaches to stop and swim Archäologisches and along the pedes-
along the way. Take bus No. 1 from the Rh ein SPANIER S T RASSE Landesmuseum trian underpass, follow
ferry terminal to get back to Konstanz. WEBERSTEIG MAINAUSTR Konzilstrasse before
turning right down
ALFRED-WACHTEL-STR
WHERE TO STAY IN KONSTANZ RHEINGUTSTRASSE Rheintorturm SEEST RASSE Münsterplatz 6,
GLÄRNISCHSTR
which is surrounded
Barbarossa moderate ZASIUSSTR SCHREIBERG by old town houses
A central, mid-range guesthouse with RHEING KONZILSTR RHEINBRÜCKE from as far back as
several elegantly furnished rooms. GARTENSTR INSELGASSE the 15th century.
SCHOTTENSTRASSE
Obermarkt 8–12, 78462; 07531 12 89 GÜTLESTR BRAUNEGGERSTR GERICHTS G Insel 0 metres 200
90; www.hotelbarbarossa.com WALLGUTSTR GYMNASIUMG The nearby Münster
Hotel-Sonenhof moderate U N T E R E L A U B E K ATZG Münster 0 yards 200 (open daily) commands
Münsterplatz
Located close to the Swiss border, this TORGASSE attention – built
basic hotel stands in a residential street. HOFHALD E Stadtgarten of local sand stone,
Otto-Raggenbass-Strasse 3, 78462; WESSENBERGSTR ZOLL ERNSTR the church has oak
07531 222 57; www.hotel-sonnenhof- SCHULSTRASSE MÜNZG A S S E FISCH- Konzilgebäude doors that are known
konstanz.de SCHÜTZENSTR OBERE LAUBE MARKT for their carvings of
Schifff am See moderate MARKTSTÄTTE New Testament
Rosgartenmuseum
Hus-
A good waterfront option, close to the Museum H USSENSTR scenes. Later additions
car ferry, this hotel has a fine restaurant. ROSGARTENSTR
William-Graf-Platz 2, 78464; 07531 310 NEUGASSE Old Warehouses include the Baroque
41; www.ringhotel-schiff.de B O D A N S T R A S S E B A HNHOFPL high altar and the
Steigenberger Inselhotel expensive HAFE NS TR A S S E Neo-Gothic spires,
This five-star hotel is housed in a former EMMISHOFERST R WIESENSTR Sea Life which can be climbed
13th-century Dominican monastery. KREUZLINGERSTR HAFENSTR for views. From here
Auf der Insel 1, 78462; 07531 12 50; turn left down
www.steigenberger.com Wessenbergstrasse,
Where to Stay: inexpensive, under €70; moderate, €70–€150; expensive, over €150
238-239_175705_BR_GER.indd 238 18/07/16 12:17 pm
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