Bloody Constance

For hundreds of years, German Konstanz had the opportunity to observe wonderful and cruel events of great importance for the world and those that would be best kept in mind. The city on Lake Constance has a lot to tell for anyone who wishes to visit.

In 2015, it will be 600 years since the event that shook the foundations of European Catholicism. On July 6, 1415, the Czech reformer, Jan Hus, was burned at the stake in the German city of Konstanz. He died for the boldness in preaching his views - controversial even today. He came to Constance for the council, but found only death here.

On the ashes of the pile

It is not known what sparked the greater rage of the highest church authorities - the sermons of Hus or the response they caused among the people. In any case, it was decided to silence the rebellious orator once and for all. How? It is not difficult to guess. The priest was accused of heresy with false witnesses and sentenced to the stake. Hus, however, was not simply meant to burn. He was about to disappear from human memory, he was to be erased from the pages of history. The clergy made a lot of effort to ensure that no trace of him was left - including the physical one, in the form of a bone or a fragment of clothing, so that it would not be used as a relic. The pile was built so large that it reached the chin of the unfortunate man.

It is ironic what happened next. Instead of disappearing, the preacher from Bohemia became an icon, and the place of his execution - the source of many years of Hussite wars. 500 years later, a huge monument was erected for him at the Staromestski Namesti in Prague. Moreover, July 6 is a Czech national holiday, legally free from work.

Konstanz today

A commemorative plaque can be seen on the wall of the house in Konstanz , where Hus lived before his death. There is a commemorative stone on the site where the stake was built - it is a 15-minute walk from the clergy's house.

However, Konstanz has not only this dark face from the past. It is a beautiful city located on Lake Constance. It is famous, among others from the great Konstanzer Seenachtfest , held annually on the second Saturday of August. During this time, the city fills up with crowds of tourists, attracted by the scale of the event, including a display of fireworks flashing over the lake.

The most important monument in Konstanz is the Cathedral of Our Lady . Also noteworthy are: the old and new town halls, the late Gothic Church of St. Stefan, the city gate from the fourteenth century and the city theater. It is also impossible to ignore the place where Pope Martin V was elected, i.e. Konzilgebäude.

The beauty of Lake Constance

Even though Konstanz is on the Swiss side of Lake Constance , keep in mind that it is a German city - especially when it comes to currency. The euro is valid, not Swiss francs.

There is a shaded, well-kept promenade along the lake, where you can sit on one of the numerous benches. It is beautiful both on the shore of the reservoir and on it. One of its biggest attractions is the flower island of Mainau with a garden of tropical plants. Among the sea of flowers we can find orange trees, lemon trees, palm trees and redwoods. It is wonderful here in spring and summer.

On the island of Reichenau , on the other hand, you can visit the Swiss city of St. Gallen with the monastery complex and the abbey library, recognized as the most beautiful library in the world.

In a camper van to the lake

People interested in visiting Konstanz will have no problems finding a place to rest - the Lake Constance region boasts an extensive accommodation base. About 4 km from the city center, in the immediate vicinity of the Hörnle bathing beach (10 minutes' walk), there is Campingplatz Bruderhofer . The cost of a parking space is 9 euros a day, and an adult will spend the night at the campsite for 6.50 euros. A three-minute shower costs 0.50 euros.

In addition to the azure waters of the famous Lake Konstanz, tourists can admire the peaks of the Alps and the Swiss Seerücken range. When we add the number of museums, the charm of the old town and the atmosphere of cafes and cafes, we will understand why the residents are so proud to live here.