A trip to Lake Constance

Written by Lucy Simmonds (M.A. Romance Languages and Cultures)

Just before Christmas, I took a short trip to the Island of Reichenau on Lake Constance. Since environmentally-friendly travel is becoming ever more important, I decided to set out on the train as I made my way southwards to Lake Constance (known as Bodensee in German). Out of the train window, the snow-covered hills of the Black Forest drew my attention away from my book, and every now and again a castle or fortress would glide into view. Before I knew it, I had reached Reichenau.

Reichenau Island is linked to the mainland by a causeway, a long road, built in 1838. Although you can easily take a bus from Reichenau station onto the island, I decided to walk so that I could immerse myself in my new environment. The reeds in the water were loud with birdsong and upon a raised platform within the ruins of Burg Schopflen, I watched the birds and took in the view of the all- encompassing lake. On that misty day, all tinged with blue, I could hardly make out where the lake stopped and the sky began. What I love about Germany is that everywhere you go you’re likely to stumble across an old fortress or some medieval ruins. It reminds me of parts of England, especially of Beeston Castle in my home county of Cheshire.

One of the highlights of Reichenau is the Benedictine monastery which dates back to the year 724. The abbey is encaptivating and as I wandered about the courtyard, I tried to imagine what it might have been like to live here; what it might have been like to walk into the scriptorium and watch the production of manuscripts in the 10th century.

My visit to the island was bang in the middle of the off-season: there was not a tourist in sight or many other people for that matter. One of the positives of this, however, was that I found myself in fresh surroundings, completely undistracted. I love hopping on the train with a rucksack and going somewhere for a long weekend. Even just travelling several hours from Marburg to Konstanz gives me a “we’re going abroad” feeling. I love being in a new place, looking around and thinking: “I’ve never been here before, I’ve never seen this place and I’ve never trodden on this ground”. The experience is new and it’s this novelty that is rejuvenating and strengthening. It equips me with well-being. And it’s not as if I then get back home and think “oh, I can’t wait to get away again”, but rather settles my mind and allows me to think “that was a great trip, and now I’m happy to be home”.