ILE MONASTIQUE DE REICHENAU

Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000, the island of Reichenau lies in the lower part of Lake Constance. It is famous for its abbey. It covers an area of just over 4 km2^and has been connected to the eastern shore of the lake by a dike since 1838. It was in 724 that the first German Benedictine abbey was founded on the island by St. Pirmin, and this was to have a major artistic influence for several centuries. The churches of Sainte-Marie et Marcus, Saint-Pierre et Saint-Paul and Saint-Georges, built between the ^9th and ^11th centuries, are the main attractions of the monastic complex, providing fine examples of monastic architecture from these centuries. Mural paintings of rare beauty confirm a flourishing artistic activity. Those in the churches of Saint-Pierre and Saint-Paul are even considered to be among the earliest representations of Christ north of the Alps. Those in the church of St. George in Oberzell are the only example of a complete series preserved before the year 1000.

Of particular interest is the monastery's heating system, directly inherited from the Romans.

The island is inhabited, with a population of just over 3,000 spread across three villages. The climate is particularly mild, allowing for a variety of fruit and vegetable crops, as well as a small-scale production of wine.