Konstanz

Konstanz (English traditionally Constance) is a small university town of around 80,000 people on the shore of Lake Constance (Bodensee) in the south-west corner of Germany, bordering Switzerland.

History

The first traces of civilisation in Konstanz date back to the late stoneage.

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Around 100 AD, the first Romans settled on the site. Its name, originally Constantia, comes from the emperor Constantius Chlorus who fought the Alemanni in the region and fortified the town.

Related Topics:
Constantius Chlorus - Alemanni

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Probably in 585 the first bishop took residence in Konstanz and marked the beginning of the city's importance as a spiritual center. By the late Middle Ages, about one fourth of Konstanz' 5'000 inhabitants were extempt from taxation on account of clerical rights.

Related Topics:
585 - Middle Ages

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Trade thrived during the middle ages; Konstanz owned the only bridge in the region which crossed the Rhine, making it a strategic place. Their linen production had made an international name and the city was prosperous. In 1192, Konstanz got the status of Imperial City so it was henceforth subject only to the emperor.

Related Topics:
Linen - Imperial City - Emperor

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1414-1418 the Council of Constance took place during which, on July 6, 1415, Jan Hus was burned at the stake. It was here that the Papal Schism was ended and Pope Martin V was elected during the only conclave ever held north of the alps. Ulrich von Richental's illustrated chronical of the Council of Constance testifies to all the major happenings during the Council, as well as showing the everyday life of medieval Konstanz. The Konzilgebäude where the conclave was held can still be seen standing by the harbour. Closeby stands the Imperia, a statue that was errected in 1993 to remind of the Council.

Related Topics:
1414 - 1418 - Council of Constance - July 6 - 1415 - Jan Hus - Burned at the stake - Papal Schism - Pope Martin V - Imperia - 1993

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In 1460 the Swiss Confederacy conquered the Thurgau, Konstanz' natural hinterland. Konstanz then made an attempt to get admitted to the Swiss Confederacy, but the forest cantons voted against its entry, fearing an overmight of the city cantons. Konstanz then entered the Swabian League instead. In the Swabian War of 1499, Konstanz lost its last privileges over the Thurgau to the Confederation.

Related Topics:
1460 - Swiss Confederacy - Thurgau - Hinterland - Swabian League - Swabian War - 1499

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The Reformation took hold in Konstanz in the 1520's, headed by Ambrosius Blarer. Soon the city declared itself officially Protestant, pictures were removed from the churches, and the bishop temporarely moved to Meersburg, a small town across the lake. However, in 1548 Emperor Charles V imposed the Imperial Ban on Konstanz and it had to surrender to Habsburg Austria which had immediately attacked. Thus, Konstanz lost its status as imperial city as well as the last remainder of its former glory.

Related Topics:
Reformation - Ambrosius Blarer - Protestant - Meersburg - 1548 - Emperor Charles V - Imperial Ban - Habsburg Austria

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The new Habsburg overlords were eager to re-Catholicise the town and in 1604 a Jesuit College was opened. Its accompanying theater, built in 1610, is the oldest theater in Germany still performing regularly.

Related Topics:
Re-Catholicise - 1604 - Jesuit College - Theater - 1610

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Konstanz was part of Austria until Napoleon assigned it to the Grossherzogtum Baden in 1806.

Related Topics:
Napoleon - Grossherzogtum Baden - 1806

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