Cathedral Square
Münsterplatz

Münsterplatz is the historically central square and marketplace in Konstanz. The square has its roots in the Middle Ages, when it developed as a hub around the Konstanz Münster. Markets, church processions and public meetings took place here, and the square became an important meeting place for both citizens and pilgrims. Today, the square is characterized by a mix of historical buildings, and there are cafes where you can enjoy the atmosphere.

Architecturally, the square is dominated by the impressive walls and towers of the Konstanz Münster, whose Gothic and Romanesque styles set the scene. Around the square are several townhouses from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, often with colorful facades, stucco and gables, reflecting the city’s prosperity during the trading period. The stone-paved square and the narrow adjacent streets give an impression of medieval Konstanz, where the church and the square were the city’s focal points.

Konstanz Cathedral
Konstanzer Münster

The Konstanz Cathedral, officially called the Münster of Our Lady, is the largest and most important church in Konstanz and is a masterpiece of southern German church architecture. The church was built over several centuries from the 7th to the 16th century and therefore reflects a mix of styles from Romanesque to Gothic architecture. In the Middle Ages, the Münster was the seat of the Diocese of Konstanz, one of the largest in the German-speaking area, and the church played a central role during the Council of Konstanz in the years 1414–1418, where ecclesiastical and political issues of European importance were decided.

The architecture of the building is characterized by a Romanesque basic structure with a three-aisled nave and massive towers, to which were later added Gothic extensions with high vaults and large windows. The most striking feature is the 78-meter-high tower, which was completed in the late Middle Ages and can today be climbed to enjoy wonderful views of the city and Lake Constance. Inside, there is a wealth of art, including Baroque altars, medieval frescoes, a 10th-century crypt, and a baptismal font dating back to the early Middle Ages.

The Council of Constance took place between 1414 and 1418 and was one of the most important church councils of the Middle Ages. It was convened to resolve the so-called papal schism, in which three different men claimed to be the rightful pope. The council succeeded in restoring unity in the Catholic Church by deposing or having the three rival popes resign and electing Martin V as the new pope in 1417.

The council also played a central role in dealing with heresy cases. Among other things, the council convicted the Czech reformer Jan Hus of heresy. This led to his burning at the stake in 1415, which later had a major impact on the Hussite Wars in Bohemia. The meeting marked both the church’s attempt at reform and to maintain its authority in a time of crisis and criticism, and many of the council’s meetings and major sessions were held in the Konstanz Münster.

Hus-Museum

The Hus-Museum is a museum dedicated to the reformer Jan Hus, who stayed in Konstanz in 1415 during the then council. It was here that he was imprisoned and later sentenced to death for heresy, after which he was burned at the stake. The museum is located in the medieval house where Hus is believed to have stayed, and it is now set up as an exhibition about his life and work.

The building is a well-preserved medieval townhouse with half-timbering, stone walls and narrow windows, which give an authentic feel of the period. Inside, the rooms are furnished with historical furniture, documents and illustrations that seek to bring Hus’ time in the city to life. The museum conveys the history of the council, the Reformation and Jan Hus’s importance for European church history.

Schnetz Gate
Schnetztor

Schnetztor is one of the old city gates in Konstanz. It dates back to the 14th century, when the city was surrounded by a strong ring wall. The gate served as an important access road from the south and was guarded as part of the city’s defense system.

Architecturally, Schnetztor appears as a massive medieval tower building in sandstone and half-timbering with a passageway for traffic. The upper part of the tower is adorned with a steep roof and a bell, which was added after the original construction.

Powder Tower
Pulverturm

Pulverturm is a preserved part of Konstanz’s medieval city fortifications. It is a tower building that was originally built in 1321, and as the name suggests, the tower was later used to store gunpowder and ammunition. As a result, it became a strategically important part of the city’s defenses and part of the city wall that protected Konstanz from attacks from the sea.

The tower is a round building made of solid masonry, which made it more resistant to attack than the square towers. The thick wall and the small window openings emphasize its function. The Pulverturm is a typical example of medieval military architecture, where functionality and strength were the focus.

Rhine Gate Tower
Rheintorturm

The Rheintorturm is one of the most striking city gates in Konstanz. It was built in the 13th century as part of the city’s fortifications, where the gate marked the entrance to the city from the Rhine. Therefore, the Rheintorturm was an important control point for trade and transport. Merchants, goods and travelers passed through the gate, and it thus had both a practical and representative function.

The building is a tall, square tower in the Gothic style with a steep, pointed roof and decorative elements such as wall anchors and cornices. The strong lower floor testifies to the tower’s original defensive role, while the higher floors were given a more representative function. The gate is one of the best preserved in the entire Lake Constance area.

City Garden
Stadtgarten

The Stadtgarten in Konstanz is one of the city’s most popular green oases. It is a park that was created in the 19th century in connection with the city’s modernization. Previously, the area was part of the fortified structures, but after the fall of the city wall it was transformed into a recreational area for the citizens.

The park is beautifully situated and is characterized by wide lawns, flower beds, paths and old trees, which create a harmonious atmosphere. From the park you have a magnificent view of Lake Constance and the harbor of Konstanz, making it one of the most visited places in the southern German city.

In the southern part of the park you can see the monument Graf-Zeppelin-Denkmal, which was erected in memory of Ferdinand von Zeppelin. Zeppelin was born in the city in 1838 and he became world famous for the airships, which for many years were one of the technological prides of Germany. The monument marks the city’s connection to the pioneering days of aviation and stands as a column with inscriptions that tell about the life and work of Zeppelin.

Council Building
Konzilgebäude

The Konzilgebäude in Konstanz is one of the city’s most striking medieval buildings and was built in 1388 as a warehouse and trading building for fish and grain. During the Council of Konstanz in 1414–1418, the building took on a central role when it was used as a meeting hall for cardinals and dignitaries. The election of Pope Martin V took place here in 1417, making the building a center of European history.

Architecturally, the building is a massive Gothic house on three floors with a half-timbered ceiling and a characteristic gable roof that extends the entire length of the building. The simple, functional form reflects its original role as a warehouse, while inside it contains large rooms with wooden ceilings and columns. Today, the Konzilgebäude is used for various events, and the building stands as an important historical monument in the city’s harbor area.

Imperia

Imperia is a statue standing on a pier in the harbor of Konstanz, and it is one of the city’s most striking and modern landmarks. The nine-meter-high statue was erected in 1993 and was created by the artist Peter Lenk. It depicts a woman in sumptuous Renaissance clothing, carrying two small figures in her hands, representing a pope and an emperor. The statue directly refers to the Council of Konstanz and is a satirical commentary on the actions of the church and the imperial power during this period.

Architecturally and technically, Imperia is impressive. It is made of concrete and weighs around 18 tons. The figure stands on a turntable that makes it rotate once around its own axis every ten minutes, giving it a dynamic presence in the harbor. It combines classical sculptural traditions with modern materials and a strong artistic idea, which makes it unique in German sculpture.

Rosgartenmuseum

The Rosgartenmuseum in Konstanz is the city’s oldest museum and an important center for local and cultural history. The museum was founded in 1853 and is housed in the Rosgarten, a historic 15th-century patrician house that originally served as a civic residence. The museum’s collections range from archaeological finds and medieval works of art to portraits, furniture and textiles, documenting Konstanz’s development from a Roman settlement to a modern city on Lake Constance.

A special attraction is the collection of art and objects from the Council period in the early 15th century, which provides a vivid insight into the city’s role in European history.

The building’s architecture reflects the typical German castle and patrician style of the transition from the late Middle Ages to the Renaissance. The Rosgarten has thick sandstone walls, high gables and detailed carvings around windows and doors. The museum uses the building’s historical spaces as a contribution to the experience of how the city’s bourgeoisie lived and designed their homes in the late Middle Ages and the Renaissance.