When most people think of the Lake of Constance, Switzerland, they usually think of its three island and the town Constance. But the Bodensee – as they call it in German – lies in a region that stretches well beyond the waters at the border between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, including towns which didn’t share any link with the lake but developed among the green landscapes of the Alps.
Liechtenstein
Our first destination travelling towards the lake was Liechtenstein, small princedom with a funny name who everyone links immediately with banks and finance.
We entered this ancient land through its walls, not very high but sturdy. It felt like entering a fable, we were surrounded by a dull silence only interrupted by the sounds of nature and of our motorbike. While we got closer to the capital, Vaduz, the thick woods opened up and the castle shows up the confirm the you are close to destination.
Vaduz
Vaduz is a very interesting place from a cultural point of view. Among the interesting experiences available there are the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum, the Walser Museum and a museum of stamps. Moreover, arts addicted can dig in the prestigious exhibitions which include, among many others, Rembrandt and Rubens.
The old town is an invitation to walk among buildings where modern and ancient mix together. As for us, we discovered a charming destination with stunning mountain landscapes and a princedom worth to be explored walking or by bike, thanks to its many bike routes. We will definitely be back here as soon as possible, hopefully on August 15 to attend the Prince Festival.
Sankt Gallen
When we moved in Switzerland we headed towards Sankt Gallen, where a guide offered us information a interesting stories about the foundation and development of this city.
Sankt Gallen, as it is often the case about settlements born round old abbeys, is located in a beautiful environment. Founded in 612 by the Irish monk Gallus, during the first centuries of its history the core of the town was its monastery.
The beautiful baroque cathedral is enriched by exquisite decorations and includes a baptism fountain which is a true masterpiece, with the water surface that seems replaced by a moon stone. At the first floor of the complex is the library which has been appointed UNESCO World Heritage. This wonderful wooden library keeps thousands of precious writings dating back to 9th century, among many other treasures including a mummy. In the Middle Age the work of the monks made Sankt Gallen one of the main cultural centre in Europe.
The town itself is a mix of ancient ages and modernity, with old buildings finely decorated lined up in the historical city centre. Many of Sankt Gallen’s buildings are directly connected to the textile industry which made the town rich in the past. Among them, the tower where people used to hung the fabrics freshly dyed. And if you suddenly arrive on a red street you reached the elegant quarter of Bleicheli, the elegant quarter with couches in the middle of the square.
Constance
The journey towards Germany and to Constance is short and we quickly entered in a Mediterranean environment. The town’s most characteristic part is called Niederburg and lies between the beautiful cathedral and the RENO river. A number of buildings built between 13th and 16th century are lined up along the tight streets. We took a pleasant walk in the old town, crowded with tourists from all over the world.
The most lively corner in Constance is the Market Square (Marktstätte) where we found many shops and restaurants with open air veranda, while a fish shaped fountain and an eight legged horse catch the gaze of tourists and visitors. When we got closer to the port we found the statue of Imperia rising to its 10 meters as the town’s symbol.
In her hands, the prosperous Imperia who turns on herself every three minutes, holds two men dressed just by a crown and a tiara: they are emperor Sigmund – who started the Council of Constance 600 hundreds years ago and pope Martin V, elected during that council. In order to better understand the statue made by artist Peter Lenk I suggest you to read ‘La belle Impéria‘ by Balzac.
As for us, we ended our visit at the thermal baths on the lake shore, an excellent way to combine wellness with a beautiful landscape, which can also become the background of a dinner at the spa’s restaurant.
