Reichenau

Reichenau is an Island and town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany. At 4.5 km long and 1.5 km wide, it is the largest island on Lake Constance (Bodensee).

St. Georg in Reichenau-Oberzell

Understand

Reichenau island is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its abbey. Reichenau has been occupied since 724, when the abbey was founded.

Reichenau is sometimes known as the "vegetable island." The island is covered in vegetable fields and greenhouses. It is also known for its wineries.

One of Germany's largest wildlife sanctuaries is located at Reichenau, where the causeway meets the mainland.

  • Tourist information, Pirminstraße 145. Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 10:00-14:00. 

Get in
  • By car Reichenau is attached to the mainland by a causeway. Follow the signs from road B33.
  • By train Take the train to the station "Reichenau" on the mainland, then catch a bus 7372 onto the island.
  • By bus Catch bus 7372 from Konstanz-Wollmatingen or from the Reichenau train station.
  • By boat From April until October there are boat connections, operated by BSB, to Reichenau from Konstanz and Radolfzell.
  • By bicycle The causeway onto the island is nearly 3 km long and has a dedicated paved path for cyclist, inline skaters and pedestrians.

Get around

The island isn't very big. The bus stops at a couple of places when it comes through, but the best way to get around is to walk, bike, or drive. Walking and biking are especially nice since there are several pedestrian/cycle paths.

Bicycle rental is possible from:

  • Freizeitcenter, Bradlengasse 24 (located at campground Sandseele; at the north-west end of the street). They have regular bikes, tandems and trailers for towing kids. 

See
  • 🌍 Reichenau Museum, Ergat 1 + 3, ☎ +49 7534 999321. Apr-Oct: Tue-Sun 10:30-16:30; Jul-Aug: Tue-Sun 10:30-17:30; Nov-Mar: Sat, Sun, public holidays 14:00-17:00. Adults €3, children €1.50. 
  • Schopflen castle ruins (at the end of the causeway, just before you're properly on the island). Originally served as a point of defense for the island at low tide. Destroyed in 1366. Now it's got a platform that allows you to watch part of the wildlife sanctuary. free. 
  • St. Maria u. Markus Cathedral. This was the abbey church and reached its present shape in the 11th century. The treasury (open Apr-Oct, 11:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00, closed on Sundays) contains relics of St. Mark, among other treasures. Behind the cathedral is an herb garden, a reconstruction of the abbey herb garden. 
  • St. Peter and Paul Church. Features late Romanesque wall paintings from the early 1100s and has rococo ceilings from the 1750s. 
  • Georgskirche (St. George's church) (the first church you see upon arriving on the island). Contains relics of St. George, and wall paintings from circa 1000 

Do
  • Water sports. Rent a motor boat, paddle boat, canoe, kayak, sail boat or row boat. Take windsurfing lessons. All this is offered by the Freizeitcenter located at campground Sandseele, Bradlengasse 24 (north-west end). 
  • Guided tour. Island tours are offered daily by the Freizeitcenter located at campground Sandseele. 
  • Ice skate. If you happen to be here during the winter, and the winter happens to be a cold one, the lake will freeze in the bay beside the island. You can skate, play hockey, and buy mulled wine and currywurst from stands on the ice. 

Buy

Eat

Drink

Sleep

Connect

Go next

gollark: Still, weirdly shaped ones *do*, as far as I know, cost more to manufacture.
gollark: Or at least avoid rendering there, I guess? Still, you're right, it's probably not significant.
gollark: They have to do extra work to deal with the cutout bit.
gollark: I wonder when we'll go to the scifi "transparent glass brick with text on it" design.
gollark: Also cheaper.
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