Konstanz Minster (Minster of Our Lady)

The Konstanz Minster, officially the Minster of Our Lady, is a historic church on Lake Constance. It was first mentioned in documents in 780 and was the cathedral of the diocese of Konstanz for over twelve centuries. The current building, a Romanesque basilica from 1089, was supplemented over time with Gothic elements, including the striking west tower and the neo-Gothic spire. The Mauritius Rotunda with its artistic early Gothic Holy Sepulchre structure is particularly well-known. Since the diocese was abolished in 1821, the Minster has served as a parish church and to this day shapes the image of the beautiful old town of Konstanz.

The Konstanz Minster or Minster of Our Lady is a minor basilica in Konstanz on Lake Constance. You should take your time for the Minster, it's worth it. The 76 m high tower can also be climbed, there are only 193 steps to the platform of the tower. But those who stand up here can enjoy the fantastic view over Constance and Lake Constance. The church dates back to the early days of the bishopric around the year 600 AD and was the cathedral of the bishops of Constance for a good twelve centuries and served as the meeting hall of the Council of Constance (1414-1418). The diocese was abolished in 1821 and since then the cathedral has served as a Catholic parish church.

For twelve hundred years, Konstanz was the seat of the largest German diocese and the Konstanz Minster was the episcopal church. At the end of the 6th century the first church was built into the remains of the Roman fort.