City of Konstanz

A walk through the medieval old town, a view of the gothic cathedral or of the council building - wherever you go in Konstanz, you can feel the shadows of history. This was the place where the Roman emperor Constantine defended the borders of the Roman Empire. It was also the place where a pope was elected on German soil for the first time, and where Czech reformer Jan Hus was burned at the stake. However, these historical blessings are a curse for today's architects. With almost every new construction project, a whole mass of historical artifacts is discovered in the ground, which complicates the town-planning process.

Imperia's sensual charms

A larger-than-life rotating stone sculpture dominates the Konstanz harbor. From a distance, it doesn't stand out on the historic skyline. From close up, it's a skimpily dressed woman with a very low neckline, depicting the prostitute Imperia. She is the town's landmark. Although she was created by a contemporary sculptor, the statue also has a certain medieval quality.

"Ho Narro!"

Konstanz residents have a sense of humor about all this. After all, the city is known for being a center of Carnival celebrations. But if this type of local humor is not your thing, you can always go on a trip out of town during the Carnival season in the week leading up to Lent. With lots of noise and the battle cry "Ho Narro!" Konstanz residents celebrate the traditional Alemannic Carnival with self-made costumes and meticulously painted masks.

Nothing beats the lake

The best thing about Konstanz doesn't actually have much to do with the city itself. It's the lake. The Bodensee or Lake Constance is what makes the city what it is. The promenades, the cafes in the harbor, the beer gardens on the banks - these are the things that give Konstanz its flair. It's also where you can experience the reddest sunsets, refresh yourself by swimming or just enjoy the view of the Alps.

This unbeatable location on the so-called "Swabian Sea" attracts great numbers of tourists in the summer. They fill up the sandy beaches and crowd the promenade - and sometimes the best way to escape this hustle and bustle is to cross over to the Swiss side of the lake.

On the other side of the border, Konstanz becomes Kreuzlingen. These two cities are so close together that they have virtually merged with each other. The Germans often go to the Swiss side to fill up on gas, as it's usually a few cents cheaper there. The Swiss, meanwhile, come to the German side to shop and party. Konstanz is the largest city on Lake Constance and the liveliest.

Author: Elena Singer