Reichenau Island

Reichenau Island lies in Lake Constance in southern Germany, at approximately {{coor dm|47|42|N|9|4|E}}. It lies between the Gnadensee and the Untersee, almost due west of the city of Constance. The island is connected to the mainland by an artificial causeway.

Related Topics:
Lake Constance - Germany - Gnadensee - Untersee - Constance

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It was declared a World Heritage Site in 2001 because of its monastery, the Abbey of Reichenau. Two further churches were built on the island consecrated to St Georg, and to Sts Peter and Paul, beside the abbey's Münster dedicated to the Virgin and St Mark. The abbey is the best-preserved monastery north of the Alps. The famous artworks of Reichenau include the Ottonian murals of miracles of Christ in St Georg, unique survivals of the 10th century. The abbey's bailiff was housed in a two-storey stone building that was raised by two more storeys of half-timbered construction in the 14th century, one of the oldest half-timbered buildings in south Germany.

Related Topics:
World Heritage Site - 2001 - Monastery - Alps - Reichenau - Ottonian - 10th century - Half-timbered construction - 14th century

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Today the island is also famous for its vegetable farms and wineries. The Wollmatinger Ried next to the island is a big nature preserve, a wetland area of reeds which is used by many birds for the stop-over during their annual migration.

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