Monastic Island of Reicheneau - UNESCO: World Heritage

Chancellor to King Arnulf upon this Carolingian’s
coronation in 896 in Rome, received
relics of St. George from Pope Formosus.
Hatto used these to furnish his
church, which he founded at Oberzell.
Hatto’s building is mainly preserved, and
moreover is the only example of a completely
painted nave north of the Alps before
the year 1000. The paintings give
evidence of the school of monumental
painting which existed on the island of
Reichenau since Carolingian times. Traces
of their works are still preserved in other
churches around Lake Constance.
V. Secular architectural monuments
Apart from of the three churches the island
of Reichenau contains numerous
other cultural monuments. Apart from the
aforementioned Herrenhöfe opposite the
minster and the ancient town hall at the
Ergat also of importance are:
1. Burg Schopfeln (the Castle of Schopfeln)
at the causeway to the mainland
in the island’s eastern area. Erected in
the 13 th century as the seat of Abbot
Albert von Ramstein it graphically represents
the contrast between the abbot’s
government over the island and
Untersee (Lower Lake), and the adjacent
bishopric seat of Constance.
2. The Bürgle (“Little Castle”) at Reichenau-Niederzell,
a stone construction
erected around 1400 as the monastery’s
guest-house and characterized today by
rich furnishings of the 17 th and 18 th
century.
3. Schloß Königseck (Königseck Castle)
and the Villa Eilandsfrieden at Reichenau-Mittelzell,
two buildings which reuse
the particular style and tradition of
the monastic island, thus contributing
to the overall image of continuity.
All in all the monastic island of Reichenau
is a unique ensemble and a monument of
occidental monastic culture as well as an
outstanding site of medieval history, art
and culture in Europe.
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