Monastic Island of Reicheneau - UNESCO: World Heritage

2. Justification for Inscription
a Statement of significance
b Possible comparative analysis (including state of conservation of similar
properties)
The monastic island of Reichenau in its entirety bears a
unique testimony to the monastic culture of Europe, and at
the same time is an exceptional site of medieval European
history, art and culture. Its outstanding universal value is
evident from the following criteria:
1. The topographical location of the island of Reichenau in Lake
Constance which caused, and had a permanent influence
on, the exceptional cultural and religious unity of the whole.
Until 1757 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.
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 enclosures B5–B19, A10
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,
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