ETR // Stage 38 // Füssen - Konstanz

47°33'13.1"N 10°44'10.2"E
47.553630, 10.736174
Füssen - Konstanz
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Distance

Füssen - Konstanz
Radius 100 km
209 km

Highlights

Altstadt Füssen
Hohes Schloss
Franziskanerkloster
St. Mangs Abbey
Tegelberg Cable Car
Neuschwanstein
Hohenschwangau
Museum of the Bavarian Kings

Altstadt Füssen

An iconic Bavarian town in southern Germany, Füssen is positioned just north of the Austrian border, and you should take some time to explore The Old Town (Altstadt Füssen) and visit Hohes Schloss where the Gothic castle contains a regional art museum. Also, take a look at the Franciscan Monastery of St Stephen (Franziskanerkloster). The museum of St. Mangs Abbey showcases the violin and lute-making industry, and nearby, Tegelberg mountain has a ski resort, a panoramic cable car and an alpine slide, a wild experience you do not want to have on your motorcycle!

Füssen - Fairytales and Fantasy Castles

When you find yourself in Füssen, you have to visit the eclectic castles of Bavarian King Ludwig II. Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau make for some spectacular photographs and great castle tours. You can explore both castles during the day, then explore the town of Füssen at night. It's both rewarding and easy to spend a few days in Füssen as there is a lot to take in, here.

Nesselwang in Winter & Summer

In Roman times there was a road connecting Via Claudia Augusta with the Roman town of Cambodunum (Kempten) and this road passed through the area where present-day Nesselwang now lies. The town and surrounding hamlets are visited by about 80,000 tourists each year. During the winter, Nesselwang is a ski resort with the lifts of the Alpspitzbahn starting directly in the town and carrying skiers nearly to the top of the Alpspitz. During summer the lift can also be used to reach the start points for a variety of walking tours as well as to reach the top of the summer sled run.

In 1059 the Emperor Heinrich IV took a loan from the Bishop of Augsburg and used the area around and including Nesselwang as a security for the loan. The castle in the south of Nesselwang was built around the 11th century, and the name Nesselburg was first mentioned in 1302, although both the settlement and the name are probably a lot older than that.

Immenstadt im Allgäu

Situated in the Upper Allgäu, Immenstadt lies in the southernmost district of Bavaria, in the German Alps. Historians estimate that the area was settled as early as the neolithic period, however, nothing is known of the origins of the modern-era town. First mentioned in a 1275 administrative tract compiled by the diocese of Konstanz, 'Immendorf' was granted town (Stadt) privileges by the emperor Charles IV. in 1360, which makes it one of the oldest towns in the area. Immenstadt was decimated by the German Peasants' War of 1525, and lost almost 70 per cent of its population to the plague during the Thirty Years' War (1618–48). During the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, however, the town also gained economic wealth through the salt and linen trade, and it became the seat of the counts of Königsegg-Rothenfels between 1664-1804.

Großer Alpsee

Surrounded by meadows, forests and mountains, The Great Alpsee is the largest natural lake in the Allgäu and covers approx. 2.4 km² with the deepest point at around 22 meters. The lakeside shore is very flat and consists of sand, gravel, stones, meadows and embankments making it a good place to stop and a popular bathing location for travellers and tourists alike. So if you need a break from all the Alps, and feel like some beach, this is where to find it. Due to the east-west orientation of the Großer Alpsee its valley location, you have great wind conditions here, making Großer Alpsee also very popular with sailors, surfers and kitesurfers, among others.

Oberstaufenn on the map

Situated on the B 308 road from Lindau to Immenstadt, you'll find Oberstaufenn, a small municipality in the district of Oberallgäu in Bavarian Swabia. First mentioned as Stoufun in AD 868, and historically belonging to the region of Swabia (Alemannia), it became part of Bavaria in 1805 with the Peace of Pressburg. Oberstaufen became the first German town for which Google Street View was made available on November 2, 2010 as a result of a marketing campaign by the Oberstaufen tourism industry.

Sulzberg Motorcycle Meeting Area

Buried in the district of Bregenz, in the westernmost Austrian state of Vorarlberg, you'll find Sulzberg, a popular confluence point for motorcyclists from the region and from far and wide. One of the 13 chapels of Sulzberg, the chapel St. Leonhard from 1497 is worth visiting, on the road to Doren. The church originally belonged to the monastery in Kempten (Allgäu), and in 1647 during the Thirty Years' War, the Swedes used the chapel as a stable for horses. The unique frescoes of the chapel and the altars and wooden ceilings from the early Baroque period have been preserved, and since the renovation was completed in November 2006 the chapel of St. Leonhard shines in a new splendor.

"Sulzeberg" was first mentioned in documents in 1249, and around 1400, "Smaltzhuben uff the Sultzberg" were mentioned as inhabitants, who had to deliver lard and cheese to the Count of Bregenz. Sulzberg a member of the German-Austrian community project Naturpark Nagelfluhkette, and the surrounding scenery is quite spectacular.

Gästhaus Alpenblick, Sulzberg

Probably without exaggeration one of the most beautiful terraces in the area. The restaurant is located at one of the most beautiful vantage points in Vorarlberg, at 1015 meters above sea level and offers a wonderful view of the Bregenzerwald, the Allgäu and Swiss mountains. Aligned to the south, the terrace can hold up to 180 people in both winter and summer, and is a popular lunch and dinner location for motorcyclists exploring the Austrian state of Vorarlberg. Find yourself a table under one of the white sunshades and let the magnificent panoramic view create a special atmosphere and unforgettable impressions, while you take it all in.

We have stopped there a few times over the years, and it feels more and more familiar, each time. You can sample the good Austrian cuisine with specialties such as roast beef with onions, boiled fillet of beef, fried chicken, Wiener Schnitzel, Käsknöpfle, Kaiserschmarren and much more... The position of the restaurant manages to capture the panoramic view in a spectacular way. You will probably remember your visit to the Alpenblick for a long time to come.

Brigantium to Bregenz

Still inside the Austrian border, Bregenz is the capital of Vorarlberg, the westernmost state of Austria. The city lies on the east and southeast shores of Lake Constance, the third-largest freshwater lake in Central Europe, wedged between Switzerland in the west and Germany to the northwest. Bregenz is located at the foot of Pfänder mountain in a junction of the arterial roads from the Rhine valley to the German Alpine foothills. It is famous for the annual summer music festival Bregenzer Festspiele, as well as the dance festival Bregenzer Spring, and you can catch on of the many cruise ship services on Lake Constance.

The first settlements date from 1500 BC, and The Brigantii are mentioned by Strabo as a Celtic sub-tribe in this region of the Alps. In the 5th century BC, the Celts settled at Brigantion, which became one of their most heavily fortified locations. After a series of battles in 15 BC, the Romans conquered Brigantion and the city became a Roman encampment. Around 50 AD, it won the status of a municipality (Brigantium) and became the seat of the Roman Admiralty for Lake Constance. Brigantium was destroyed by the Alemanni in 259-60, Germanic peoples who settled in the area in around 450. It's much more peaceful here, today.

Crossing Borders in the chaotic borderlands

This is a strange region when it comes to crossing borders and fiddling with different currencies. You have Austria, Switzerland, Germany and Liechtenstein all within an hour's (or minutes) ride of each other, and sometimes you don't even know which country you are in! Are we still in the EU or not? You might find yourself at a petrol station where they only take Swiss Francs, then back in a Euro country for your next stop. The chaotic road signs reflect the multiple personalities of this schitzophrenic region. Anyway, have a good look around Liechtenstein.

Ride south from Bregenz into Liechtenstein and visit Vaduz

The most prominent landmark of Vaduz is Vaduz Castle, being perched atop a steep hill overlooking the city, and home to the reigning prince of Liechtenstein and the Liechtenstein princely family. The city's distinctive architecture is also displayed in landmarks such as the Cathedral of St. Florin, Government House, City Hall, the National Art Gallery, as well as the National Museum, displaying the various styles and periods of architecture that the city is known for. Vaduz is mentioned in historic 12th-century manuscripts as Faduzes. In 1322 a mention of the castle is made, which was sacked by the Swiss in 1499 during the Swabian War, when the entire city was also destroyed.

On a cultural note, The National Art Gallery as well as the National Museum are located in Vaduz. Kunstmuseum Liechtenstein (the art gallery) a museum of modern and contemporary art, also exhibits the private princely Liechtenstein Collection, the main public display of which is located in Vienna. Completed in November 2000 and built by the Swiss architects Morger, Degelo and Kerez, the building is an architectural landmark forming a "black box" of tinted concrete and black basalt stone. The museum collection is also the national art collection of Liechtenstein. The Liechtenstein National Museum has a permanent exhibition on the cultural and natural history of Liechtenstein as well as special exhibitions, from time to time. You can also visit also the Postage Stamp Museum and the Ski Museum, before heading west to Konstanz.

The tranquility of Lake Konstanz

After the forest of roadsigns you have had to navigate at the confluence of the 4 countries, arriving at Lake Konstanz is food for the spirit. Especially if you time it so that you arrive by the lake in the evening, when the light is just right for looking out over the water past The Imperia Statue, the city's famous landmark. Originating in the Swiss Alps, The river Rhine passes through Lake Constance (Bodensee) and the town of Konstanz rests on the shores of this beautiful mirror-like lake.

A quick history - The first traces of civilization at Konstanz date back to the late Stone Age. During the reign of Augustus, the Celts living south of the Danube were conquered by the Romans, and the first Romans settled on the site Around 40 AD. This small town on the left bank of the Rhine was probably first called Drusomagus and belonged to the Roman province of Raetia. Its later name, originally Constantia, comes either from the Roman emperor Constantius Chlorus, who fought the Alemanni in the region and built a strong fortress around 300 AD, or from his grandson Constantius II, who visited the region in 354. The remains of the late Roman fortress Constantia were discovered in 2003.

Photos

Dave O'Byrne
European Touring Route AS

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Highlights

Lake Konstanz
The Imperia Statue
Konstanz Altstadt
Konstanz Cathedral
Konstanzer Münster
Konstanzer Marktstätte
Konstanzer Obermarkt
Bismarckturm
Rheintorturm
Dreifaltigkeitskirche
Niederburg District
Rosgartenmuseum
Konstanz Town Hall

Float around Konstanz Altstadt

The Altstadt (Old Town) is relatively large considering the small size of modern Konstanz, and contains many old buildings and twisting alleys. From the roof of your hotel, you'll see that the city skyline is dominated by Konstanz Cathedral, 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 well-preserved medieval district of Niederburg includes the Romanesque Konstanz Cathedral, known for its Gothic spire and mix of decorative styles.

Rosgartenmuseum chronicles the local cultural history and heritage, exhibiting prehistoric to 20th-century objects. You should also visit Konstanz town hall, which is adorned with delicate frescoes and a Renaissance-style courtyard. Konstanz was also the birthplace of Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin, constructor of the famous Graf Zeppelin airships, such as The Hindenburg.

Cross-border trade and voracious VAT refunds

The Germany–Switzerland border runs along the southwestern and southern edge of the city, demarcating it from the Swiss town of Kreuzlingen. In the late 2010's, Konstanz became a popular destination for Einkaufstourismus, or cross-border shopping by Swiss due to lower prices on basic items in Germany, a favorable exchange rate between the Swiss franc and the euro, and a generous German VAT refund for non-European Union residents. Car ferries facilitate access across Lake Constance to Meersburg, and the Katamaran provides a shuttle service for pedestrians to Friedrichshafen.

North of the river lies the larger part of the city with residential areas, industrial estates, and the University of Konstanz; while south of the river is the old town, which houses the administrative centre and shopping facilities in addition to the Hochschule or the University of Applied Sciences. Grab yourself a couple of local beers and have a nice long evening walk around this beautiful old city.