The region sits at a strategic point between the Alps, the Danube, and the Rhine. From here trade could flow to all corners of Europe. The city of Konstanz defines the region and was originally part of the Swiss Cultural sphere. Even today, the dialect is closer to Swiss German than Swabian and the architecture reflects this.
Lake Constance was formed by movements of glaciers in the last Ice Age and is today the third-largest freshwater lake in Europe. There are few locations in Europe that offer as much trade potential. The lake itself feeds the Rhine and carries goods to the North Sea. Just to the north begins the Danube, carrying goods to the Black Sea. To the South lie, a major mountain passes over the Alps. Its strategic location provided immense wealth to the area until water-born trade made expensive overland routes redundant at the end of the Middle Ages.
The result is a region with remarkably ancient and well-preserved heritage. From the ancient churches of Reichenau to the border city of Konstanz, to the Baroque residence of Meersburg, all periods of history are represented. It helps that the proximity to Switzerland has spared this region destruction on a number of occasions, including the Second World War.
