Konstanz

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This article is about the city of Konstanz. For the surrounding district, see Konstanz (district).

Konstanz


Country	Germany
State	Baden-Württemberg
Administrative region	Freiburg
District	Konstanz
Population	81,919 (2005)
Area	54.11 km²
Population density	1,514 /km²
Elevation	402 m
Coordinates	47°40′ N 9°11′ E
Postal code	78401-78467
Area code	07531, 07533
Licence plate code	KN
Mayor	Horst Frank (Grüne)
Website	konstanz.de

Konstanz in 1925 seen from the lake

Schnetztor, a section of the former city wall

Another gate from city wall

Shops in Konstanz

The Konzilgebäude in Konstanz

Konstanz (in English formerly known as Constance) is a university town of around 80,000 inhabitants at the western end of Lake Constance in the south-west corner of Germany, bordering Switzerland.

1 Location
2 History
3 Konstanz today
4 Twin towns
5 Transport
6 See also
7 External links

[edit] Location

Konstanz is situated on the river Rhine which starts in the Swiss Alps and runs through Lake Constance, called "der Bodensee" in German, between the "Obersee" and the "Untersee". North of the river lies the larger part with residential areas and industrial estates; while south of the river is the old town which houses the administrative centre and shopping facilities. Car Ferries provide access across Lake Constance to Meersburg and Friedrichshafen. To the south, the old town merges into the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen.

[edit] History

The first traces of civilisation in Konstanz date back to the late Stone Age.

Around 100 AD, the first Romans settled on the site. Its name, originally Constantia, comes from the emperor Constantius Chlorus who fought the Alemanni in the region and fortified the town.

Probably in 585 the first bishop took residence in Konstanz and marked the beginning of the city's importance as a spiritual center. By the late Middle Ages, about one fourth of Konstanz's 5,000 inhabitants were extempt from taxation on account of clerical rights.

Trade thrived during the Middle Ages; Konstanz owned the only bridge in the region which crossed the Rhine, making it a strategic place. Their linen production had made an international name and the city was prosperous. In 1192, Konstanz got the status of Imperial City so it was henceforth subject only to the emperor.

In 1414-1418 the Council of Constance took place during which, on July 6, 1415, Jan Hus was burned at the stake. It was here that the Papal Schism was ended and Pope Martin V was elected during the only conclave ever held north of the alps. Ulrich von Richental's illustrated chronicle of the Council of Constance testifies to all the major happenings during the Council, as well as showing the everyday life of medieval Konstanz. The Konzilgebäude where the conclave was held can still be seen standing by the harbour. Closeby stands the Imperia, a statue that was erected in 1993 to remind of the Council.

In 1460 the Swiss Confederacy conquered the Thurgau, Konstanz's natural hinterland. Konstanz then made an attempt to get admitted to the Swiss Confederacy, but the forest cantons voted against its entry, fearing an overmight of the city cantons. Konstanz then entered the Swabian League instead. In the Swabian War of 1499, Konstanz lost its last privileges over the Thurgau to the Confederation.

The Reformation took hold in Konstanz in the 1520s, headed by Ambrosius Blarer. Soon the city declared itself officially Protestant, pictures were removed from the churches, and the bishop temporarily moved to Meersburg, a small town across the lake. However, in 1548 Emperor Charles V imposed the Imperial Ban on Konstanz and it had to surrender to Habsburg Austria which had immediately attacked. Thus, Konstanz lost its status as imperial city as well as the last remainder of its former glory.

The new Habsburg overlords were eager to re-Catholicise the town and in 1604 a Jesuit College was opened. Its accompanying theater, built in 1610, is the oldest theater in Germany still performing regularly.

In 1821, the Bishopric of Constance was dissolved and became part of the Archdiocese of Freiburg.

[edit] Konstanz today

Because it practically lies within Switzerland, just one kilometer from the Swiss border, Konstanz was not bombed by the Allied Forces during World War II. The city left all their lights on at night, and thus fooled the bombers into thinking it was actually Switzerland. The Altstadt (Old Town), which is large considering the small size of modern Konstanz, has many old buildings and twisted alleys. The city scene is marked by the majestic "Münster" Cathedral ("Münster Unserer Lieben Frau"), several other churches and three towers left over from the city wall, one of which marks the place of the former medieval bridge over the Rhine.

The University of Konstanz was established close to the town in 1966. It houses an excellent library with approximately 2 million books, all freely accessible 24 hours a day.

Konstanz was the birthplace of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, constructor of the famous Zeppelin airships.

[edit] Twin towns

[edit] Transport

Konstanz is served by major railway lines running west to Singen with connections to all parts of Germany, and south into Switzerland, connecting to major routes at Weinfelden. Services are provided by the Deutsche Bundesbahn and also the Swiss Thurbo company and its German subsidiary. The nearest airport is at Friedrichshafen, which can be reached by a fast ferry service on the lake, which also connects Konstanz to other lakeside towns. The airport mainly hosts domestic flights, but a service to London Stansted Airport is available. The nearest international airports are in Stuttgart, in Basel, and Zurich, which has a direct train from Konstanz. Bus services within the city are provided by SüdbadenBus GmbH.