Page 529 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

GERM AN Y  527

e Lake Constance
£ Konstanz. @ n Bahnhofsplatz
13, Konstanz (07531-13 30 30).
Lake Constance (in German,
the Bodensee) lies on the
borders of Germany, Austria,
and Switzerland. The area
surrounding the lake is one of
the most attractive in Germany,
in terms of both natural beauty
and cultural heritage. The best
time to visit is summer, when
local fishermen stage colorful
festivals and there are plenty of
opportunities for water sports
and cruises on the lake.
St. Stephans Dom, Passau’s imposing Baroque cathedral Konstanz (Constance) is the
q Passau largest town in the region, and
Bavarian King Ludwig II, to a its main attraction is the
* 50,000. £ @ n Rathausplatz 3 design by the theater designer magnificent 11th-century
(0851-95 59 80). Christian Jank. Its pinnacled Romanesque cathedral. The
turrets have provided the town is in two parts: the old
Passau lies on a peninsula inspiration for countless models, town (Altstadt) is a German
between the Danube and the book illustrations, and film sets. enclave in Switzerland on the
Inn, near the Austrian border. In The walls of the vestibule and southern shore, while the newer
739, the Irish monk St. Boniface other rooms in the castle are part stands on a peninsula
founded a major bishopric here. lavishly covered with paintings between the two main arms
After two destructive fires in depicting scenes from German of the lake.
1662 and 1680, the myths and The many romantic old
town was rebuilt legends. The towns and beautiful islands
by Italian gilded interior of of Lake Constance attract
architects, who left the throne room hordes of visitors every summer.
many fine Baroque is reminiscent of a The exquisite little town of
buildings, Byzantine basilica, Meersburg opposite Konstanz
including the while the dining is a very popular destination.
cathedral, St. room has So too is Mainau, the “Island
Stephans Dom. intricately carved of Flowers.” The most beautiful
However, the town panels and gardens on the island are in
retains a medieval fabulous pictures the park of the Baroque
feel in its narrow Gilded apse of the throne room, and furniture. The palace, built in 1739–46.
alleys and Neuschwanstein pale grey granite At the northeastern (Bavarian)
archways. The castle, which end of the lake, the medieval
Gothic town hall dates from the draws on a variety of historical island town of Lindau is the
14th and 15th centuries. styles, is a 20-minute walk from major draw.
Opposite it is the Passauer the village of Schwangau.
Glasmuseum, which has a fine In the village itself is another
collection of Bohemian, Austrian, castle, Schloss Hohenschwangau,
and Bavarian glass. High above built in 1832 by Maximilian, heir
the Inn stands a pretty Baroque to the throne of Bavaria, over
pilgrimage church, the the ruins of a medieval castle.
Wallfahrtskirche Mariahilf. A tour of the Neo-Gothic castle
gives a fascinating insight into
w Neuschwanstein the history of the Wittelsbach
family, rulers of Bavaria from
@ to Schwangau. Tel 08362-93 98 1180 to 1918. There are also
80. Open Oct–Mar: 10am–4pm daily; some fine 19th-century
Apr–Sep: 9am–6pm daily. & 8 7 furnishings and the castle’s
(limited access). terraced gardens afford
magnificent views.
Set amid magnificent mountain
scenery on the shores of the + Schloss Hohenschwangau
Alpsee, this fairy-tale castle was Tel 08362-819 80. Open daily. A half-timbered house on the banks of
built in 1869–86 for the eccentric Closed Dec 24. & 8 Lake Constance
For hotels and restaurants see pp546–8 and pp549–51

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