Reichenau is an island town in Lake Constance on the German-Swiss border. As the Monastery Island with the preserved Romanesque Reichenau Abbey, it is inscribed on the UNESCO list. There are churches and monasteries from the 10th and 11th centuries with unique frescoes preserved.
The Benedictine abbey on the island of Reichenau was founded in the first half of the 8th century. It was one of the most important scientific and cultural centers in this area. There was a huge library here, and the scriptorium here was known for high-quality miniatures.
To this day, three Romanesque churches have survived in Reichenau, built between the 9th and 11th centuries. They are the greatest attractions of Reichenau and allow you to get to know the Carolingian culture at its peak. The most important of them is the Cathedral of St. Mary and St. Mark, where the relics of the Evangelist are kept. It is one of the best examples of Carolingian architecture in Germany.
Nevertheless, the church of St. George from the 9th century, the interior of which is decorated with unique frescoes from the 10th century. They depict the miracles of Christ and make up the cycle known as the Ottonian. The third Romanesque churches in Reichenau are the Church of St. Peter and Paul, built in several stages between the 9th and 12th centuries. In its apse there is a fresco from the 11th century depicting the Last Supper.
