City of Constance

With a population of over 80,000 inhabitants and a land area of 54 km² (encompassing a total of 15 city districts spanning both sides of the out-flowing Rhine) is Constance the largest city on Lake Constance.

Situated in the very south of Germany, Constance shares its border with the Swiss neighbouring city Kreuzlingen.

Boasting a 34 km long city shoreline, Constance charms and captivates both tourists and locals alike.

Port entry of Constance with the "Imperia"

The city´s international flair and more than 3,300 shops and businesses contribute to its reputation as an attractive and appealing science and business location.

Constance´s roots date back to antiquity - traces of civilization dating back to the late Stone Age, Roman settlements around 50 AD, and an economically prosperous Middle Ages. But is was from 1414-1418 with the `Council of Constance´ that the city gained fame. The `Council´ brought an end to the Three-Popes Controversy and, with it, the election of Pope Martin V.

Prior to 1414, 6,000 people were living in Constance. During the `Council of Constance´ the number of inhabitants, many of whom themselves Council participants, soared to a staggering 80,000.

Here hospitality is alive and well.

Traditional hotels and well-known taverns and guesthouses indulge their guests year-round with culinary delights from the Lake Constance region, be it from lake or land.

Lake of Constance with the mountains Säntis (right, 2502m)
and Altmann (left, 2436m) in the background.

This lively university town makes attending a conference in Constance even that much more interesting. Virtually all nooks and crannies of the city impart a sense of past-meets-present. A good example is the historic old town (Niederburg) with its picturesque alleyways ideal for a meandering walkabout or a downtown shopping spree.

Famous tourist attractions and places of interest are easily and quickly reached from Constance. A few of the top attractions are: Mainau Island (the flower island) and two UNESCO World Heritage Sites - Reichenau Island (Benedictine Monastery Island) and the Pile Dwelling Museum (an open air museum of reconstructed Stone and Bronze Age stilt houses) in Unteruhldingen.

Southwest German Philharmonic Orchestra concerts, museum visits (Archaeological, Natural History and History, Art and Culture, to name a few), the City Theatre, Sea Life Constance, art exhibitions and traditional festivals such as the `Konstanzer Fasnacht´ (Shrove Tuesday Carnival) and the `Konstanzer Seenachtsfest´ (Lake Night Festival) with its spectacular fireworks display will quickly fill any free days in your cultural calendar.

View from the minster of the „Konstanzer Trichter“,
where the Seerhein leads to the Lake of Constance.

Using Constance as a base, you can easily explore nearby cities and towns. In less than an hour, you can either travel by train to Zurich or sail by catamaran to Friedrichshafen.

A mild climate, the internationality of the `3-Lands-Lake´ and the unique ambience of a city rich in tradition all help to make Constance so irresistible.

Come and enjoy Constance and its enchanting surroundings...

We look forward to seeing you!