Lake Constance ~ Bodensee

Lake Constance was formed by the Rhine Glacier during the Ice age.

A Zungenbecken lake, also called a tongue basin,is a hollow that is left behind by the ice mass, and continues to fill with melt water from the glacier that has receded over time.

Lake Constance is the largest lake in Germany ,on the Rhine at the northern foot of the Alps.

It consists of three bodies of water: the Obersee, the Untersee,and a connecting stretch of the Rhine,

called the Seerhein.

Lake Constance is the only area in Europe where no borders exist, because there is no legally binding agreement as to where the borders lie between Switzerland, Germany and Austria

Imperia

The Imperia is a statue at the entrance of the harbour of Constance, Germany, commemorating the Council of Constance that took place there between 1414 and 1418.

The Imperia shows a woman holding two men on her hands.
The two men represent Pope Martin V and Emperor Sigismond The erection of the statue caused controversy,
but it was on the private property of a rail company that did not object to its presence.

The statue refers to a short story by Balzac (A French novelist & playwright) ,
"La belle Impéria".
The story is a harsh satire of the Catholic clergy's morals, where Imperia seduces cardinals and princes at the Council of Constance and has power over them all.

The concrete statue is 9 metres high, weighs 18 tonnes,

and stands on a pedestal that rotates around its axis once every four minutes.

A ride around Constance with Yannick

Constance has also managed to preserve its long-standing
traditions as a trading and cultural centre to the present day

The love locks continue to make their way around Europe...

Constance has remained almost unchanged since the Middle Ages

Yannick,Atina and baby soon to be!

~Mainau~

Crossing the bridge to Mainau, the Island of Flowers in Lake Constance.

I have still not found the answer to why this tree and pole knitting trend is sweeping Germany...If anyone knows please fill me in!

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Rabbits, hens, goats, Shetland ponies, donkeys, sheep, cats and a cow and her calf all live at the Mainau farmyard.

play time for the goaters

I wanted to take her with me...

but she took me with her!

Nap time for the Ol' Gramps

Blowing kisses

fantastic sculptures

Siluets

Italian Style Foral Cascade

There is a lot to admire on Mainau Island. Starting with the botanical treasures

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Beautiful Bamboo garden

Germany’s second largest butterfly house.approximately 80 different species from Africa, Asia, Central and South America as they flutter around in the Butterfly House kept at 90% humidity and temperatures between 25°C and 30°C.