Lake Constance is a beautiful destination for nature lovers, history buffs, and culture enthusiasts. The lake borders three countries: Germany, Switzerland, and Austria, and offers stunning views of the Alps and the surrounding countryside. But Lake Constance is not only a scenic spot, it’s also a treasure trove of museums and galleries that showcase the rich and diverse heritage of the region. Whether you’re interested in archaeology, art, nature, or technology, you’ll find something to fascinate you at one of these 10 must-visit museums at Lake Constance.
1. State Archaeological Museum (Landesmuseum für Archäologie)
This museum in Konstanz (Constance) vividly brings to life the region’s exciting history from the Stone Age to the present day. You’ll see impressive exhibits of ancient artifacts, such as pottery, weapons, jewelry, and coins, as well as reconstructions of prehistoric dwellings and medieval buildings. You’ll also learn about the famous Council of Constance, which took place from 1414 to 1418 and ended the Great Schism of the Western Church. Don’t miss the highlight of the museum: the original skeleton of a 5,300-year-old man found in a peat bog near Überlingen.
2. Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen
If you’re fascinated by aviation and technology, you’ll love this museum in Friedrichshafen, which is dedicated to the history and development of airships. The museum is located in the former harbor railway station, where the first Zeppelin airship took off in 1900. You’ll see a replica of a section of the LZ 129 Hindenburg, the largest airship ever built, which tragically caught fire in 1937. You’ll also learn about the visionary inventor Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin and his successors, who made Friedrichshafen the world capital of airship construction.
3. Kunsthaus Bregenz
This museum in Bregenz, Austria, is a masterpiece of modern architecture and a showcase for contemporary art. The museum was designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor and opened in 1997. It consists of four glass cubes that reflect the changing light and weather conditions of Lake Constance. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions of international artists, such as Olafur Eliasson, Ai Weiwei, Marina Abramović, and Anish Kapoor. The exhibitions span various media, such as painting, sculpture, photography, video, and installation.
4. Lake Constance Nature Museum (Bodensee-Naturmuseum)
This museum in Konstanz’s Sea Life Center presents the lake’s unique scenery and biodiversity. You’ll discover how Lake Constance was formed by glaciers during the Ice Age and how it has changed over time. You’ll also explore the diverse habitats of the lake, such as reed beds, rocky shores, and deep waters. You’ll see lovingly arranged animals, such as fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals, as well as instructive models and interactive displays. Outside the building, you can enjoy the free access play and learning space “steine im fluss” (stones in the river), where you can experiment with water and stones.
5. Hus House (Hus-Haus)
Jan Hus was a Bohemian reformer who challenged the authority of the Catholic Church in the 15th century. He was invited to attend the Council of Constance to defend his views but was arrested and burned at the stake as a heretic in 1415. His death sparked a series of wars in Bohemia and inspired other reformers like Martin Luther. The Hus House in Konstanz is a memorial site that explores Hus’s eventful life and legacy. You’ll see historical documents, paintings, sculptures, and multimedia presentations that tell his story.
6. Cultural Centre (Kulturzentrum am Münster)
This arts centre by the cathedral in Konstanz is home to various cultural institutions that offer a diverse program of events and exhibitions. You’ll find the Kunstverein gallery (art association), which presents contemporary art from south-west Germany; the Wessenberg Gallery (Wessenberg-Galerie), which combines historical exhibition space with modern art; the town library (Stadtbibliothek), which offers books, media, and services for all ages; and the museum shop (Museumsladen), which sells souvenirs,
books,and local products.
7. Pile dwellings (Pfahlbauten)
The pile dwellings are ancient settlements that were built on wooden stilts along the shores of Lake Constance and other lakes in Europe. They date back to between 5000 and 500 BC and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. You can visit a pile dwelling exhibition in Constance-Dingelsdorf, where you’ll see finds from the Paleolithic, Mesolithic, and Neolithic periods, such as tools, pottery, jewelry, and bones. You’ll also learn about the lifestyle, diet, and culture of the first farmers who lived in these wooden houses on the water. You can also experience a replica of a Stone Age pile dwelling village at the open-air museum in Unteruhldingen, where you can see how people made fire, hunted, fished, and cooked.
8. SEA LIFE Konstanz
Get up close to captivating underwater worlds and more than 3,500 animals at SEA LIFE Konstanz. You’ll see sharks, rays, turtles, seahorses, piranhas, octopuses, and many more exotic creatures from different habitats around the world. You’ll also discover the local marine life of Lake Constance and the Rhine River, such as perch, pike, sturgeon, and eels. Don’t miss the interactive touch pool, where you can feel starfish and crabs, and the daily feeding shows, where you can watch the animals in action.
9. Rosgarten Museum (Rosgartenmuseum)
Explore the region’s art, culture, and history at the Rosgarten Museum in the heart of Constance. The museum is housed in a former guildhall that dates back to the 13th century and has a beautiful courtyard with a fountain. You’ll see paintings, sculptures, furniture, costumes, weapons, coins, and documents that illustrate the development of Constance from the Middle Ages to the present day. You’ll also learn about the famous personalities who lived or visited here, such as Emperor Sigismund, Jan Hus, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Mark Twain.
10. Insel Mainau (Mainau Island)
Last but not least, don’t miss the chance to visit Mainau Island, a paradise of flowers and plants on Lake Constance. The island is owned by the Bernadotte family, who have created a magnificent botanical garden that attracts millions of visitors every year. You’ll see thousands of tulips, roses, orchids, dahlias, and other colorful blooms that change with the seasons. You’ll also enjoy the butterfly house, the palm house, the arboretum, and the baroque castle with its church and chapel. Mainau Island is a perfect place to relax and enjoy nature’s beauty.
Quelle: Unterhaltung mit Bing, 9.4.2023(1) . https://bing.com/search?q=Lake+Constance+museums Zugegriffen 9.4.2023.
(2) Kunsthaus Bregenz. https://www.kunsthaus-bregenz.at/ Zugegriffen 9.4.2023.
(3) Zeppelin Museum Friedrichshafen. http://www.zeppelin-museum.de/ Zugegriffen 9.4.2023.
(4) Museums & galleries in Constance – constance-lake-constance.com. https://www.constance-lake-constance.com/experience-explore/culture-history/museums-galleries Zugegriffen 9.4.2023.
(5) Lake Constance Nature Museum – Rosgartenmuseum. https://www.rosgartenmuseum.de/en/bodensee-naturmuseum/ Zugegriffen 9.4.2023.
