All those who like to be enchanted by a colorful flora should not miss the opportunity to visit the island Mainau, in the Lake Constance, Baden-Württemberg. The season starts traditionally at the end of March in the indoor palm house, which displays an outstanding collection of orchids. This is also the time when tulips, narcissi and hyacinths start to blossom at the so called spring-alley. As the year moves on roses, rhododendrons, palms and bananas, only to name a few, will show their outstanding beauty, adding to the sub-tropical flair of Mainau. September-October is the time for the yearly dahlia show and it never gets boring on this Island. If you travel with kids they will enjoy the fun and variety in the "Kinderland", a uniquely created park with a water world, petting zoo, pony riding, a railroad and a dwarf-village. Hospitality is high on the agenda on Mainau and everybody is invited to join in the fun.
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| Flower sculptures at MainauGarden gnomes in Germany |
Thinking about Lake Constance, the first thing that pops into ones mind is the Flower Island Mainau. It is a part of the district Litzelstetten-Mainau, Konstanz in Baden-Württemberg and in ownership of the aristocratic family Bernadotte of Swedish origins. Mainau is the third-largest Island in Lake Constance and is 1,100 meters long and at one point 610 meters wide. Because of the mild Lake Constance climate an exotic tropical and sub-tropical fauna prospered here with palm trees and other Mediterranean plants. Grand duke Friedrich I started the park with the Arboretum north-west of the Island, where he planted 500 different species of broad-leaved trees and conifers, with some of them being very exotic and valuable. Simply huge are some of the giant redwood trees (Sequoiadendron giganteum), whose seeds came from California in 1853 and were planted by Friedrich I on the Island Mainau in 1864. Therefore they are some of the oldest of its kind in Europe.
The aristocratic family Bernadotte still plays an important role in all the floral display and islands activities. The family manor was built after the plans of Johann Caspar Bagnato (Giovanni Gaspare Bagnato). The construction, under the supervision of Bagnato, started in 1739 and was completed 7 years later. The Baroque manor has 3 wings and include a court, the Ehrenhof and a terrace garden. The manor is still the residence of the Bernadette family and you will see the flag on top of the roof when the family is present. The private rooms are in the north wing, left from the court and are not accessible to the public.
Late March to the end of October is the time when Mainau stands up to its reputation to be the Flower Island. Until the middle of May tulips, narcissi and hyacinths will dominate the gardens and make it a colorful experience for all visitors. During the same time viola, forget-me-not and primrose add to the color. The spring-alley leads to the rose-garden, which was also created by Friedrich I. The Italian style garden is strictly geometric in its form, with pergola, sculptures and fountains. During summer around 500 varieties of roses bewitch ones senses in this garden. On the whole of the island you will discover around 30,000 pedicle of 1.200 different species. A Baroque stairway leads to the manor terrace which will give you a great view and your next point of interest might be the Mediterranean terraces, with palms, agave, cactuses and bougainvillea. From here, you have a panoramic view of Lake Constance and the Alps. The south of the island is home to the dahlias and September and October is the time to be there. Around 20,000 shrubs of 250 different species are home in the south garden and shine endlessly in their beautiful colors.
Mainau is also home to a butterfly house, with around 1,000 square meters the largest in
Germany. It is open all year round and visitors will walk around in a truly tropical climate, accommodating the fauna and around 80 different species of butterflies. Depending on the season 700-1,000 butterflies can be admired by the visitors. Most of these species are originated in South America and some breed naturally on the premises. But still the butterfly house receives every week 400 pupae from breeder from
Costa Rica,
England and the
Netherlands with a yearly budget of € 20,000.
The Kinderland is said to be one of the most beautiful kids playground in the Lake Constance region and it is time for your kids to confirm that statement. Between the ages of 1-4 the dwarf village is definitely the place for fun and discovery. Then there is the water world, petting zoo, pony riding, a railroad and the newest addition in 2009 is the theme park Blumis Uferwelt. It is aimed to the children's urge to move and offers plenty of safe space to climb, hide, look and listen. A children's friendly
restaurant is located here and offers a special menu for kids.
The island has many restaurants and cafes and maybe you like to try a barbecued sausage. At a perfect spot, the restored historical manor wall, you can enjoy this nice snack. Sausages come in a wide variety and you can choose between red barbecued sausages, Mainau-sausages, spiral formed onion-sausages and chili-, beef - or poultry sausages. Another highlight of this dining experience are the 3 meters long and 1,6 meters wide tables. In the middle of each table you will always see plants in full bloom and even trees will grow through the tables. One more reason to come and enjoy Flower Island Mainau, again and again.
This is an example of what you can do in Mainau while traveling in Germany. If you want learn more about Mainau we compiled a more comprehensive
Mainau travel guide in collaboration with local residents that provides unique travel insider tips which you can use during you Germany vacation.
This article has been written by Monika Petra. She likes to write Germany related travel articles on Live Like a German - a site for exploring Germany, to learn more about its culture / language, and to find great Germany vacation rentals or holiday apartments when going on a Germany vacation.
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