Easy hikes and walks around Gaienhofen

The Hornstaad pile-dwelling archaeological site, officially called Hornstaad-Hörnle, is located on the German shore of Lake Constance, in the Höri peninsula. It is part of the famous "Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps", inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2011. The site was discovered as early as 1856–1857 and gave its name to the "Hornstaad group", a regional Neolithic culture. Underwater and terrestrial excavations, mainly conducted between 1982 and 1993, revealed several villages built between approximately 3918 and 3902 BC. These villages were built on wooden stakes on the shores of the shallow waters of the lake. The houses formed a dense habitat where probably around 300 inhabitants lived. A fire destroyed one of the villages shortly after its foundation, but this catastrophe paradoxically allowed for exceptional preservation of everyday objects. Archaeologists found there: - textiles, - tools made of wood and bone, - carbonized food stores, - jewelry, - plant remains, - and even prehistoric "chewing gums" made of chewed birch pitch. One of the most famous objects is a small copper disc considered among the oldest metal objects in Central Europe. Its presence shows that these populations already traded with distant regions such as Bavaria, Northern Italy, or even the Netherlands for flint. Today, the site is mainly submerged and protected under layers of gravel. No reconstructed village remains directly on site, but an interpretation panel allows visualization of the location of the habitats from the Hornstaad pier.

The small castle of Hornstaad, also called "Schlössli", is located in Horn, a district of Gaienhofen, directly on the shores of Lake Constance. It is one of the most picturesque historic buildings on the Höri peninsula. Origins and construction While the existence of an earlier building is not fully proven, there may have been a small medieval fortification here protecting the tip of the peninsula. The current castle was built around 1640 in the form of an elegant Renaissance half-timbered building, constructed on a solid stone foundation. The building features: * two floors; * a half-timbered structure; * a polygonal tower staircase; * an exceptional location directly on the lake. Residence of the representatives of the Bishop of Constance: In the 17th century, the castle served as the residence of the administrators ("Obervögte") of the Prince-Bishop of Constance, who then controlled the Höri region. Several noble families were associated with it, including: * the von Liebenfels; * the von Coppenhagen; * the von Stuben; * the von Sürgenstein. The coats of arms of these families are still visible on the staircase tower. Developments in the 19th and 20th centuries Around 1800, some parts were transformed and the top of the tower modified. Subsequently, the castle passed into private ownership, notably to the Bruttel family, an old family of farmers and fishermen from Hornstaad. From the early 20th century, the building was used as a lakeside inn and then restaurant, popular for its panoramic terrace. The restaurant ceased operations in 2018. The historical setting of Hornstaad The Hornstaad site is also famous for its prehistoric remains. Near the castle, important Neolithic lake dwellings dating back to around 3900 BC were discovered, which are now a UNESCO World Heritage site. Thus, around the castle, the following layers of history are superimposed: * the prehistory of the stilt villages; * the episcopal Middle Ages; * the German Renaissance; * and the tourist history of Lake Constance.

The church of Horn, today called the Church of Saint John and Saint Vitus of Horn, is located on the Höri peninsula, on the shores of Lake Constance. Slightly dominating the village, it is visible from afar and is one of the symbols of the area. Medieval origins: A first parish church is mentioned as early as 1155. The current building still retains elements from this Romanesque period in its masonry. The village of Horn then belonged to the sphere of influence of the very powerful bishops of Constance around Lake Constance. Over the centuries, the church was enlarged and transformed: * late Gothic elements were added; * the stepped gable bell tower was built around 1553; * a major restoration took place in 1673. The Baroque transformation: The current appearance is mainly due to the major renovation of 1717, under the Bishop of Constance Johann Franz von Stauffenberg. The nave, choir, and windows were profoundly modified to create an elegant Baroque hall church. The coat of arms of Bishop Stauffenberg is still visible above the main portal. In 1718, the church received a remarkable late Gothic high altar donated by the cathedral chapter of Constance. It contains panels painted around 1500 by the Constance painter Matthäus Gutrecht the Elder: * the Annunciation; * the Adoration of the Magi. The patron saints: The church is dedicated: * to Saint John the Baptist; * and to Saint Vitus (Saint Guy), a Roman martyr greatly venerated in the Middle Ages. The patronal feast is celebrated around June 24, St. John's Day. A landmark of the Lake Constance landscape: Thanks to its dominant position above the lake, the church has become a true landmark for travelers and navigators on Lake Constance. Today, it is one of the remarkable historical churches in the Lake Constance region.

An absolute MUST for cultural tourists. The museum is wonderfully arranged and the staff absolutely competent and hospitable!

Steppenwölfe

A beautiful high-altitude trail: up the mountain in Hemmenhofen. Then, enjoy views across western Lake Constance to Konstanz. Descend to Gaienhofen and the Hesse Museum. From the tourist information office, take the bus (number 200) to Radolfzell.

Very nice bathing spot with a wonderful view.

The small town of Gaienhofen is a true artistic landscape 🎨🖋️🗒️ Famous poets and painters were attracted and inspired by the place, such as Hermann Hesse (who lived there from 1904 to 1912). Gaienhofen is also known as "Mittlere Höri" (Middle Höri).