Monastic Island of Reicheneau - UNESCO: World Heritage

the entire island was part of the monastery estate. Ever since the
early middle ages the island of Reichenau has been dominated by
the three churches of Mittelzell at the centre of the island, Niederzell
at its western end, and Oberzell in the east. This characteristic
skyline has remained intact throughout the centuries to the present
day. The churches, the large secular structures built for the
monastic administration and the undeveloped plots of land in
between always dedicated to the growing of crops to supply the
monastery with agricultural products, are evident to the present
day.
As early as the 13th century the Ebsdorf map of the world
depicted the island with its three churches. See enclosure B21, p. 4
In scholarly research and illustration the island was perceived as a
unit as well. An early publication of the plans of the three churches
(1856/57) included a view of the entire island on an separate plate.
See enclosure B8
A large part of the island has always been dedicated to the growing
of crops to supply the monastery, including specialized crops, for
example vines. To the present day the island is characterized by its
large plots of specialized crops. See endosures B5-B19, AIO
2. The universal value of the monastic island is evident from its
architectural monuments to the present day. The three large
remaining structures - the Marienmünster (St. Mary's Minster) and
monastery buildings of Mittelzell, the collegiate church of St. Peter
und Paul at Niederzell and the collegiate church of St. Georg at
Oberzell - combine to result in an architectural ensemble of world
status, It is a remarkable fact that in all three churches earlier
architectural stages, extending back to Carolingian times, have not
only been made available to international historical research by excavations
but that significant parts of earlier stages have become
identifiable elements of the present structures. Thus Mittelzell retains
the remains of earlier churches back to 724: the crossing and
transepts dating from Carolingian times, and the western transept
with the Choir of St. Mark and its tower, constituting an important
example of early Salian architecture.
Niederzell retains 12th-century wall paintings, carved stones from
the screen of the Carolingian church, consecrated in 799, and an
altar-slab with inscripions dating from the 9th/10th centuries.
Oberzell retains its world-famous pre-1000 wall paintings, the only
near-complete set of wall paintings from this time surviving north of