Kirchen und Klöster am Bodensee

Historic Churches & Monasteries

The shores of Lake Constance host a dense concentration of ecclesiastical heritage spanning over a millennium. This collection features the UNESCO-listed monastic island of Reichenau, home to rare Romanesque frescoes, and the opulent Rococo 'Basilika Birnau' overlooking the water. From the massive Gothic spire of Konstanz Minster to the Cistercian grandeur of Salem Abbey and the medieval frescoes of Lindau’s Peterskirche, these sites represent the evolution of sacred architecture and monastic power in the Bodensee region.

Historic Churches & Monasteries — Karte

Unknown / Public domain

A

Konstanz Minster

Konstanz Minster or Konstanz Cathedral is a historical building in Konstanz, southern Germany, the proto-cathedral of the former Roman…

Christoph Wagener / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Church of Saint George

The Church of Saint George is a Roman Catholic Church. It is part of a Benedictine monastery founded in 724, located on the island of…

Klosterkirche_Reichenau_20090821_011.jpg / Public domain

C

St. Maria und Markus

A Romanesque former Benedictine abbey church on Reichenau Island. It houses the shrine of St. Mark and features a massive late Gothic choir and a preserved 15th-century timber roof structure.

Feloscho / CC BY-SA 4.0

D

Peterskirche

The oldest church in Lindau, dating back over 1,000 years. Dedicated to the patron saint of fishermen, it contains significant 15th-century frescoes attributed to the workshop of Hans Holbein the Elder.

Gerhard Schauber / Public domain

E

Basilika Birnau

A landmark Rococo pilgrimage church built between 1746 and 1750. Designed by architect Peter Thumb, the interior features lavish stucco work, frescoes, and an iconic 'honey-licker' cherub statue.

Andreas Praefcke / CC BY 3.0

F

Mariä Heimsuchung

The Catholic parish church of Meersburg, originally built in the 13th century. It underwent significant Baroque remodeling in the 18th century and serves as a central landmark in the town's upper district.

High Contrast / CC BY 3.0 de

G

Münster Unserer Lieben Frau

A Catholic parish church on Lindau island, formerly part of a noble convent. Rebuilt in Baroque style after a 1728 fire, it features ornate ceiling paintings and red marble altars.

böhringer friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5

H

Herz Jesu-Kirche

A large Neo-Gothic parish church in Bregenz, constructed between 1905 and 1908. It is noted for its imposing twin towers, red brick facade, and well-preserved stained glass windows.

böhringer friedrich / CC BY-SA 2.5

I

Parish church of St. Gallus, Bregenz

The parish church of St. Gallus is a Roman Catholic church in the city of Bregenz in Vorarlberg, Austria.

See58 / CC BY 3.0

J

Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, Reichenau

The Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul also called Reichenau Basilica It is a Catholic church of Romanesque style located in the island of…

Dietrich Krieger / CC BY-SA 3.0

K

Münster Unserer Lieben Frau

A late Gothic pillar basilica featuring the highest church tower on Lake Constance. The interior houses the relics of the town's three patron saints: Theopont, Senesius, and Zeno.

Organist123456789 / CC BY-SA 4.0

L

Münster St. Nikolaus

The largest Gothic church in the Lake Constance region, built between 1350 and 1573. It is famous for its massive late Gothic wooden altar carved by master craftsman Hans Zürn the Elder.

Fb78 / CC BY-SA 2.0 de

M

Salemer Münster

A 13th-century Cistercian abbey church showcasing High Gothic architecture. It is the third-largest church in Baden-Württemberg and features a unique transition from Gothic structure to early Neoclassical interior decoration.

Fredou / CC BY-SA 3.0 at

N

Mariastern Abbey, Hohenweiler

Mariastern Abbey is a Cistercian nunnery in Hohenweiler, Austria.

Stefan-Xp / CC-BY-SA-3.0

O

Stefansfeld-Kapelle

A late Baroque chapel built in 1752, originally serving as the Salem Abbey's infirmary chapel. It features a distinctive rotunda design and ornate stucco work characteristic of the Vorarlberg school.