Reichenau Island

A monastery was founded on Reichenau in 724 and became one of the leading centres of learning in the Carolingian empire, with a scriptorium producing illuminated manuscripts of the Ottonian period that are now in libraries across Europe and listed by UNESCO in the Memory of the World register. Three Romanesque churches survive: the minster at Mittelzell, St George at Oberzell with a rare cycle of tenth-century wall paintings of Christ's miracles, and St Peter and Paul at Niederzell. UNESCO listed the island in 2000. Today it is mainly a market garden island, with greenhouses covering much of the land and vegetables sold across the region.

What you actually see

• The three Romanesque churches - Mittelzell, Oberzell and Niederzell.
• The tenth-century paintings - a miracle cycle on the walls of St George.
• The market gardens - greenhouses and vegetable fields across the island.
• The manuscript story - a scriptorium whose books are now spread worldwide.

When to go

April to October; churches close for a midday break and during services. The island is flat and easily cycled. Summer brings vegetable stalls at the gate.

Honest expectations

The manuscripts are not on the island; the museum shows facsimiles. Much of the island is working greenhouse, not scenic. Churches keep short hours.

Nearby

Konstanz lies east; the Swiss shore is south.