View source for Reichenau Island

{{Short description|Island in Germany}}
{{More citations needed|date=August 2012}}
{{Other uses|Reichenau (disambiguation){{!}}Reichenau}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2025}}
{{Infobox islands
| name             = Reichenau Island
| image_name       = InselReichenau 20090709 MartinSteiger CCBYSA 001.jpg
| image_caption    = Aerial view of Reichenau Island
| image_size       = 250px
| map_image        = Lage Reichenau Bodensee.png
| map_size         = 250px
| map_caption      = Reichenau, shown with [[Konstanz (district)|Konstanz]] and [[Bodensee (district)|Bodensee]] ''[[Districts of Germany|Kreise]]'' of [[Germany]] (yellow) and [[Thurgau]] [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]] of [[Switzerland]] (green)
| native_name      = 
| native_name_link = 
| location         = [[Lake Constance]]
| coordinates      = {{coord|47|41|40|N|9|3|45|E|region:DE|display=inline,title}}
| archipelago      = 
| total_islands    = 
| major_islands    = 
| area_km2         = 4.3
| length_km        = 
| width_km         = 
| coastline_km     = 
| highest_mount    = 
| elevation_m      = 
| country          = Germany
| country_admin_divisions_title     = [[States of Germany|State]]
| country_admin_divisions           = [[Baden-Württemberg]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_1   = [[Districts of Germany|District]]
| country_admin_divisions_1         = [[Freiburg (region)|Freiburg]]
| population       = 
| population_as_of = 
| density_km2      = 
| ethnic_groups    = 
| website          =[http://www.reichenau.de/ www.reichenau.de]
| module           = {{designation list | embed=yes
   | designation1 = WHS
   | designation1_offname = Monastic Island of Reichenau
   | designation1_date = 2000 <small>(24th [[World Heritage Committee|session]])</small>
   | designation1_type = Cultural
   | designation1_criteria = iii, iv, vi
   | designation1_number = [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/974 974]
   | designation1_free1name = Region
   | designation1_free1value = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
   }}
}}

'''Reichenau Island'''{{efn|The [[Alemannic German|Alemannic]] name of the island was ''Sindleozesauua'', but it was also known as simply ''Ow'', ''Auua'' (island) – Latinized as ''Augia'', later also ''Augia felix'' or ''Augia dives'' (rich, or fertile, island), hence ''Richenow'', ''Reichenau''.}} ({{IPA|de|ˈʁaɪçənaʊ|lang|De-Reichenau.ogg}}) is an island in [[Lake Constance]] in [[Southern Germany]]. It lies almost due west of the city of [[Konstanz]], between the [[Gnadensee]] and the [[Untersee (Lake Constance)|Untersee]], two parts of Lake Constance. With a total land surface of {{cvt|4.3|km2}} and a circumference of {{cvt|11|km}}, the island is {{cvt|4.5|km}} long and {{cvt|1.5|km}} wide at its greatest extent. The highest point, the Hochwart, stands some {{cvt|43|m}} above the lake surface and {{cvt|438.7|m}} above mean sea level.

Reichenau is connected to the mainland by a [[causeway]], completed in 1838, which is intersected between the ruins of Schopflen Castle and the eastern end of Reichenau Island by a {{convert|10|m||-wide|adj=mid}} and {{convert|95|m||-long|adj=mid}} waterway, the Bruckgraben. A low road bridge allows the passage of ordinary boats but not of sailing-boats.

[[Reichenau Abbey]], founded on the island by bishop [[Saint Pirmin|Pirmin]] in 724, quickly developed into an influential religious, cultural, and intellectual center.<ref name = "nominate1">{{cite report |url = https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/974.pdf |title = Report on the Nomination of the Monastic Island of Reichenau for Inscription on the World Heritage List of UNESCO |author = A. Zettler |publisher = Historisches Institut, Universitat Dortmund |date = 5 September 1999 |access-date = 20 August 2022}}</ref> Because of its historical importance and the exceptional quality of the architecture and artwork found in the island's three churches and abbey, Reichenau was declared a [[World Heritage Site]] in 2000.<ref name = "unesco">{{cite web |url = https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/974 |title = Monastic Island of Reichenau |website = UNESCO World Heritage Centre |publisher = United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization}}</ref>

==History==
Although people occupied Reichenau in the [[Bronze Age]] and [[Iron Age]], archeological evidence suggests that Reichenau was abandoned during the Roman era.<ref name = "nominate2">{{cite report |url = https://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/974.pdf |title = Settlement and History of the Island of Reichenau From the Beginning Until Pre-Monastery Times |author = Helmut Schlichtherle |date = 1999 |access-date = 20 August 2022}}</ref> It remained uninhabited until 724, when the [[monk]] [[Saint Pirmin|Pirmin]] received support from the Carolingian ruler [[Charles Martel]] to build a monastery on the island.<ref name = "nominate1"/> The first monastery, at Mittelzel, was wooden, although it was replaced by a stone building by 746.<ref name = "icomos">{{cite report |url = https://whc.unesco.org/document/117729 |title = Reichenau (Germany) – No. 974 |publisher = ICOMOS |date = 28 June 1999 |access-date = 20 August 2022}}</ref> In the early 9th century, under the patronage of the [[Carolingian dynasty]] and [[Ottonian dynasty]], the community flourished. In 816 the monastery church of the by-then abbey, was rebuilt in a cruciform [[basilica]] style, and churches dedicated to the [[Virgin Mary|Virgin]] and [[Saint Mark]] were consecrated.<ref name = "nominate1"/> Relics of [[St. Mark]] arrived at the abbey in the mid-9th century. Two further churches were built on the island consecrated to Saints [[Saint Peter|Peter]] and [[Paul of Tarsus|Paul]] (in 799) and to [[Saint George]] (in 896).<ref name = "icomos"/>

The abbey's [[bailiff]] was housed in a two-storey stone building to which two more storeys of [[timber framing]] were added in the 14th century, one of the oldest timber-frame buildings in southern Germany. It is today used as a museum of local history.<ref name = "nominate1"/>

The monastic community of the abbey produced several influential poets and authors, such as [[Walafrid Strabo]] (who served as abbot) and scholars such as [[Hermann of Reichenau]] and  Abbot [[Reginbert of Reichenau|Reginbert]], as well as artists.<ref name = "nominate1"/> The famous artworks of Reichenau include (in the church of St George) the [[Ottonian Renaissance|Ottonian]] murals of miracles of Christ, unique survivals from the 10th century.<ref name = "icomos"/><ref name = "nominate1"/> The [[Plan of St. Gall]], the only surviving architectural drawing from the Middle Ages, may also have been created on the island.<ref name = "nominate1"/>  Among the abbey's far-flung landholdings was [[Reichenau, Switzerland|Reichenau]], a village on the upper Rhine in the [[municipality]] of [[Tamins]] in the canton of [[Graubünden]], Switzerland, named for the abbey.

In the 16th century, the territory of the  [[Prince-Bishopric of Constance]] was extended to include Reichenau, and as a result the influence of the abbey waned. During the [[Secularization (church property)|secularization]] of the Prince-Bishopric of Constance in 1803, many of the smaller chapels on the island were demolished.<ref name = "icomos"/> In addition, the manuscripts and archives held in the abbey were given to Karlsruhe and the University of Heidelberg library and the surrounding farms were parceled and sold.

Today the island is also famous for its vegetable farms. The [[Wollmatinger Ried]] next to the island is a large nature reserve, a [[wetland]] area of reeds, which is used by many birds as a stopover during their annual migration.

==Transport==
{{stn|Reichenau (Baden)}} is a railway station on the [[High Rhine Railway]] line. It is served by regional trains to {{stn|Konstanz}} and {{stn|Singen (Hohentwiel)}}, via {{stn|Radolfzell}}.

Reichenau has a [[landing stage]]. Between spring and autumn, the [[Schweizerische Schifffahrtsgesellschaft Untersee und Rhein|URh]] offers regular boat services on the [[High Rhine]] and [[Untersee (Lake Constance)|Untersee]] between [[Schaffhausen]] and [[Kreuzlingen]], via [[Konstanz]].

==Gallery==
<gallery>
Kirchtürme von St. Peter und Paul (Niederzell) auf der Insel Reichenau im Bodensee.jpg|15th-century towers on the Romanesque church of Sts Peter and Paul in Reichenau-Niederzell
File:Reichenau Sued-West Ufer.JPG|South West Reichenau Island
File:St. Georg Reichenau.JPG|South East Reichenau Island
File:StGeorgReichenau-pjt.jpg|St. Georg, Reichenau-Oberzell
File:Deutsche Alleenstrasse Reichenau.jpg|[[Aspen]]-lined [[Avenue (landscape)|Avenue]] to Reichenau Island
File:sanktgeorgsundgemüsefelder.jpg|One of the island's many vegetable fields with Sankt Georg Kirche in the background
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{wikivoyage|Reichenau}}
{{commons category|Reichenau Island}}
* [https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/974 Monastic Island of Reichenau] UNESCO Official Website

*[http://www.reichenau.de Reichenau: monastic island]
*{{in lang|de}} [https://www.alemannische-seiten.de/deutschland/reichenau.php History and images]
*[http://www.schloesser-magazin.de/en/monastery-reichenau/Home/268292.html Reichenau Abbey Church]
*{{CathEncy|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12723a.htm|title=Reichenau}}
* [http://www.strudel.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43 3 spherical panoramas of St. Georg Church] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110719085954/http://www.strudel.de/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=43 |date=19 July 2011 }}
* [http://www.circulo-romanico.com/index.php?menu_id=9&jera_id=2033&page_id=1616 Saint George in Overzell in Circulo Romanico page]
* [http://www.circulo-romanico.com/index.php?menu_id=9&jera_id=2034&page_id=1609&cont_id=3583 Abacial de Santa Maria y San Marcos in Circulo Romanico page]
* [http://www.circulo-romanico.com/index.php?menu_id=9&jera_id=2034&page_id=1609&cont_id=3584 Iglesia de San Pedro y san Pablo in Circulo Romanico]

{{World Heritage Sites in Germany}}
{{Islands in Lake Constance}}
{{Lake Constance}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Lake islands of Germany]]
[[Category:World Heritage Sites in Germany]]
[[Category:Konstanz (district)]]
[[Category:Islands of Lake Constance in Germany]]
[[Category:Islands of Baden-Württemberg]]
[[Category:Cultural landscapes of Germany]]