The Most Beautiful Churches And Cathedrals Around Lake Constance

The undulating green landscape that surrounds one of Europe’s largest lakes is dotted with stunning historical structures. The churches around Lake Constance are as beautiful as they are inspiring, and some have even taken their place among UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.

1. Münster St. Nikolaus

Church

Located in the very popular seaside town of Überlingen (where the architectural features of a former medieval town meet the trendy restaurants and cafes of the present) is Münster St. Nikolaus, a church that is rather hard to miss. Built between 1350 and 1576, the church’s large tower overlooks Überlingen. The five-aisled basilica is quite stunning, especially the very ornate altars and stained glass windows.

2. Birnau Abbey Church

Church

This beautiful church sits atop a vineyard and enjoys a fantastic view of Lake Constance (especially of the many colors of the sunset). The light pink hue of the Baroque church is another factor that makes it stand out among the rolling green hills, while the beautiful interior boasts intricate frescoes among gold and marble ornamentation.

3. Salem Monastery and Palace

Church

Famous for its palace, extensive parks and gardens (as well as its elite boarding school), Schloss Salem also has a beautiful Cistercian monastery. Dating back to the Middle Ages, this monastery enjoyed its place as one of Germany’s most important abbeys. While you’re in the Salem complex, make sure to drop by the Weingut Schloss Salem (Salem Palace Winery), which happens to produce some very delicious Spätburgunder wines.

5. Schussenried Abbey

Church, Monastery

1280px-Schussenried_Kloster_Deckengemälde_Treppenhaus

Founded in 1183, the Schussenried Abbey served as a Premonstratensian monastery and gained its Baroque style in the 18th century after being renovated due to damage caused by the Thirty Years’ War. The abbey’s striking features include is a beautiful library with extensive ornamentation and ceiling frescoes completed by by Franz Georg Hermann in 1757. These frescoes depict divine wisdom in the apocalypse, scholarship, education, and craft.

6. Abbey of Reichenau

Church

Reichanau Island was declared a World Heritage Site in 2000 because of the Abbey of Reichenau, a beautiful Benedictine abbey founded in 724 by Saint Pirmin who is believed to have fled Spain due to Moorish invasions. The monastery became quite famous in the 10th and 11th centuries for producing some Europe’s most beautiful illuminated manuscripts, completed in the abbey’s scriptorium and artist workshops.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.