It is believed that town of Uhldingen-Mühlhofen in the very south of Baden-Württemberg was once a Roman port town on the Lake Constance.
Without sounding flippant, it doesn’t matter much whether it was or it wasn’t. You’ll love this place as it is now.
However, in all fairness to our Roman neighbors it’s only right to mention that the Pfahlbauten Outdoor Museum is chocked full of Roman and Bronze Age archaeological finds. This is a very big reason that lots of people come here.
I think the stilt houses (built right over the water) would be reason enough. But, hey, what do I know? ;-)
And as fun as the Bodensee is, you still need to see the historical sites. Hmm, what is there?
For starters there’s the Baroque and Rococo Pilgrimage Church and Monastery of Birnau. The Birnau Cathedral is another huge attraction to the area. Maybe I should have added that to my Cathedral blog. Next time perhaps.
It wouldn’t be fair to leave out the St. Martin Church, as it has a 12th century tower.
The Unteruhldingen Chapel might have been built in 1505, but its altar is of a Baroque design. And the Chapel of St. Wolfgang (that’s such a German name, isn’t it) alter has a picture of the Salem Abbey on it.
Technically there is a castle (a Baroque one to be exact), but it’s now a conference center. So, does that count? Yeah, I guess it does.
Did I leave anything out? No? OK, time to move on then.
Uhldingen-Mühlhofen has a nature area to explore, with all sorts of birds, reptiles, and insects. OK, maybe we could do without the bugs, huh?
If you’re squeamish then you might not want to see the snake, lizard, and spider museum. Nope, sorry — I can’t do it, you’re on your own for this. ;-)
I prefer the annual Birnau Wine Festival in October or the Harbor Festival in July. Or, MAYBE the annual marathon run held every June.
There is also a Lake Bicycle Path that’ll take you along Lake Constance. Look out for the “20 Stations” that highlight ten millennia of the area’s history.
I know it sounds like a lot to do, but with over 2,000 hours of sunshine a year that shines on beautiful Uhldingen-Mühlhofen you’ll have plenty of time to see it all — plus go play in Lake Constance!
