Lighthouses of Southern Germany: the Bodensee

The Bodensee, often called Lake Constance in English, is a large lake at the extreme southern end of Germany. The Rhine River passes through the lake as it begins its course northward through western Germany. The lake is an international waterway: its northern shore is in Germany, the southern shore is in Switzerland, and the eastern end of the lake is in Austria. Historically all three countries had lighthouses on the lake, although none survive today in Austria. In addition to the four lighthouses listed on this page, two small lighthouses are listed on the Switzerland page. ARLHS numbers are from the ARLHS World List of Lights. General Sources Deutsche Leuchtfeuer - Bodensee Information and photos posted by Manfred Schüler. Deutsche Leuchttürme/Feuerschiffe Photos posted by Klause Huelse, who also has a page of historic postcard views. Leuchttürme.net - Deutschland - Bodensee Photos and notes by Malte Werning.

Leuchttum Lindau, March 2007 anonymous Creative Commons photo

Konstanz Lighthouses

* Konstanz Südmole (Molenhäusle) 1842 (rebuilt 1890). Inactive. Approx. 12 m (40 ft) keeper's house with octagonal stone lower story, octagonal cast iron upper story, and octagonal lantern room, crowned by a steeple, at one corner. Sebastian Schulz's photo is at right, another photo is available, and Google has a satellite view. In 1838, when the railroad came to Konstanz, the railroad company built two moles to enclose a small harbor, the Dampferhafen (Steamboat Harbor) adjacent to the train station. This light and the next were built at the ends of the moles in 1842. In 1890, the upper floors of this lighthouse were replaced. The lighthouse is known locally as the Molenhäusle (Little House on the Mole). The harbor is now used only by recreational boaters, and the lighthouse is a clubhouse for a powerboat club. The club has posted an aerial view showing the harbor, both moles, and the train station. Located at the end of the south mole of the Dampferhafen in Konstanz, at the western (lower) end of the Bodensee. Site and tower closed (private), but there's a good close view from the end of the Ostmole. Owner/site manager: DSMC Deutsch Schweizerischer Motorboot Club. ARLHS FED-130. * [Konstanz Ostmole ("Imperia")] 1842. Inactive. 1-story octagonal stone equipment room supporting a 9 m (30 ft) rotating sculpture. Andi Möller has a 2007 photo, and Google has a satellite view. Here is one of the most unusual sites (or sights) in this Directory. The stone base now houses the equipment that records the water level of the lake, but originally it supported the light tower shown at the right in the image posted by Manfred Schüler. The statue, called "Imperia" and completed in 1993, is by Peter Lenk; it recalls a story by Balzac about a prostitute in Konstanz at the time of the Councils of Constance (1414-1418). (The small figures in the woman's hands are the Pope and the Emperor.) Located at the end of the east mole of the Dampferhafen in Konstanz; accessible by walking the mole. Site open, building closed. Owner/site manager: presumably the city of Konstanz.

Konstanz Molenhäusle, September 2007 Creative Commons photo by Sebastian Schulz

Lindau Lighthouses
** Lindau Westmole

1856. Active; focal plane 35 m (115 ft); white flash every 3 s. 33 m (108 ft) round stone tower with lantern and gallery. A photo appears above, Werning has a good photo, Michele Pegoraro has a nice nighttime view, a good closeup is available, and Google has a satellite view. Lindau is located on an island just off the northeastern shore of the Bodensee. This lovely and much-photographed lighthouse is located at the end of the west mole sheltering the town's harbor. The lighthouse was built by the railroad (now Deutschen Bahn) and is still owned by the railroad's Bodensee ferry subsidiary. According to Schüler, it operates only when triggered by radio signals from arriving ferries. Site open, tower reported open. Owner/site manager: Bodenseeschifffahrt. ARLHS FED-145.

** Lindau Mangturm

About 1230. Inactive since 1856 at least. 37 m (121 ft) square stone medieval tower with a tall pyramidal roof. Werning has an excellent photo, and another good closeup is available. This fortified tower protected Lindau for centuries and is reported to have served also as a lighthouse, although it is not clear how the light was shown. The roof was replaced using authentic materials after the original was heavily damaged by lightning in 1979. Located on the waterfront of Lindau. Site open, tower open but hours are said to vary. Owner/site manager: presumably the city of Lindau. ARLHS FED-146.

Information available on lost lighthouses:

Notable faux lighthouses:

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Posted April 9, 2005. Checked and revised April 5, 2009. Lighthouses: 4. Site copyright 2009 Russ Rowlett and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.