Why Reichenau Island
Reichenau Island is a landmass situated in Lake Constance in southern Germany, positioned west of the city of Konstanz between the Gnadensee and Untersee stretches of the lake. Covering an area of 4.3 square kilometers, the island spans 4.5 kilometers in length and 1.5 kilometers at its widest point. Its highest elevation is the Hochwart, rising 43 meters above the lake surface. Reichenau is connected to the mainland by an overland causeway established in 1838, which features a bridge spanning the Bruckgraben waterway near the ruins of Schopflen Castle.
Human settlement on Reichenau dates back to the Bronze and Iron Ages, though the island was abandoned during the Roman era. In 724, Bishop Pirmin founded a wooden monastery with support from Charles Martel, which was later rebuilt in stone. Under Carolingian and Ottonian patronage, Reichenau Abbey expanded into a major intellectual, artistic, and literary center, producing renowned scholars such as Walafrid Strabo and Hermann of Reichenau. The island is also linked to the creation of the Plan of St. Gall, a rare surviving medieval architectural drawing.
Because of its rich history and preserved architecture, Reichenau was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000. Visitors can explore key historic landmarks, including the Church of Saints Peter and Paul from 799 and the Church of Saint George from 896, the latter containing rare tenth-century Ottonian murals illustrating the miracles of Christ. A local history museum operates inside the former abbey bailiff's residence, a building that includes one of the oldest timber-framed sections in southern Germany, dating to the fourteenth century.
Beyond its historic sites, Reichenau is famous for its vegetable farming. Adjacent to the island is the Wollmatinger Ried, a expansive wetland nature reserve dominated by reeds that provides a resting spot for birds during seasonal migration.
Reichenau is easily reached by land or water. Rail travelers can use the local station on the High Rhine Railway, which offers regional train connections to Konstanz, Radolfzell, and Singen. Additionally, from spring to autumn, scheduled boat services operated by URh stop at the island's landing stage along the route between Schaffhausen and Kreuzlingen.
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