Konstanz, Baden-Württemberg

Konstanz, Germany
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konstanz_Altstadt_Seerhein_Bruecke.JPG
Author: Achim


Konstanz is a city on the western bank of Lake Constance, called Bodensee in German. It is one of the southernmost cities in Germany, within the state of Baden-Württemberg. The city covers 55.65 sq km (21.49 sq mi) and has a population of 83,000 (2011 estimate).

As with the rest of Germany, it is within the Central European Time Zone, which is an hour ahead of Coordinated Universal Time (UTC+1) and two hours ahead during Daylight Saving Time in summer. The phone area codes are 07531 and 07533.

Konstanzer Münster (Cathedral of Konstanz)
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:MPano_07_9_2.jpg
Author: Snorky


The history of Konstanz goes back to AD 50, when the area was a Roman settlement. It was originally known as Constantia, after the Roman emperor Constantius Chlorus. The city received its first bishop in AD 585, making it a religious center. During the Middle Ages, a quarter of its inhabitants were clerics, and were therefore exepted from taxes.

In 1460, after its hinterland were absorbed into the Swiss Confederacy, Konstanz applied for admission but was rejected, as the more rural canton were afraid that the city of Konstanz will upset the balance of power.

Bismarckturm, Konstanz
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KonstanzBismTurm.jpg
Author: Ramessos


The Protestant Reformation of the 16th century saw the city declaring itself as Protestant. During this period, its churches rid themselves of Catholic elements, and the bishop moved out to Meersburg, a small town across the lake.

In 1548 Konstanz was conquered by Habsburg Austria, and under the new rulers, the city was re-Catholicized. This enabled the Jesuit College to open in 1604, and in 1610, its theatre began performing. The theatre is still giving regular performances, becoming the oldest regularly performing theatre in Germany.

Konstanz escaped Allied bombing, due in part to its proximity to neutral Switzerland. The city actually "pretended to be Switzerland" by turning on all its lights at night.

Konstanz is today an industrial town. It is also home to the University of Konstanz. The city is subdivided into 15 districts called Stadtteile. The southern part of Konstanz is contiguous to the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen.

Shopping street in Konstanz
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Konstanz10.jpg
Author: Stako

Visiting Konstanz, Germany

If you are flying in, the nearest major airport would be the Zurich Airport in Switzerland. It is an hour from Konstanz by road. There are direct train services from Zurich Airport to Konstanz every hour.

Exploring Konstanz

The Altstadt or Old Town can be explored on foot, and is in fact the best way to discover all its sights. There are bicycles which you can rent for €12 per day. The bicycle rental is located near the train station.

World Heritage Site in Konstanz

Places of Interest in Konstanz, Germany

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