Allensbach: Lake-Dwelling History, Literature and Nature

Lake-Dwelling Finds and Local History

The Archaeology and Local History Museum in Allensbach explores the history of the town from the Neolithic period to the present day. The exhibition offers insights into the “Allensbach-Strandbad” lake-dwelling settlement and the lives of its Neolithic inhabitants. The museum displays original finds from the “Allensbach-Strandbad Lake-Dwelling UNESCO World Heritage Site”, including two different sandals made from lime bast. There is also a replica of the famous Allensbach dagger, dating to around 2900 BC, made from northern Italian flint and with its wooden handle preserved. The “Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps” have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2011.

The finds give local history a tangible focus: alongside the long timeline leading to the present day, the settlement and individual surviving objects take centre stage. For families interested in early history, the original finds offer concrete conversation starters; the different pieces reveal various aspects of everyday life and material culture.

Fritz Mühlenweg: Art, Film and Memories

The MÜHLENWEGMuseum presents a permanent literary exhibition about the painter and award-winning writer Fritz Mühlenweg (1898–1961). Photographs, paintings, exhibits, expedition films and listening stations are complemented by unique loans from the family and from the estate. Artistic works and film footage are presented alongside personal keepsakes.

Other ways to explore the exhibition include a documentary featuring contemporary witnesses, as well as personal stories and memories from the Mühlenweg family’s circle, available on tablets for visitors to borrow. Stories and poems, a quiz and a virtual tour of favourite objects round out the offering. Unlike the Archaeology and Local History Museum, the MÜHLENWEGMuseum does not trace local history from the Neolithic period onwards, but focuses on one person and their circle.

Outdoor Classroom and Regional Cuisine

The Allensbach Wildlife and Leisure Park includes an outdoor classroom covering more than 1,000 m², with over 600 plants. It also features a wild bee hotel, a rose garden and a large herb spiral. Together, these elements make this area a nature attraction in its own right, alongside the museums and historical finds.

The wildlife park’s food options include self-service snacks in the wildlife park hall and barbecue areas. The Mindelsee country inn serves traditional regional cuisine. The group cooking event involves preparing seasonal Bodensee-region dishes together using local produce, followed by sharing a glass of Allensbach wine. The meeting point is the teaching kitchen at Allensbach Primary School, Schulstr. 12. If you would like to include this activity in your plans, check current dates and availability in advance.

Nature and Transport in the Region

The stretch of Lake Constance between Reichenau Island and Allensbach lies close to town. It is a habitat for great crested grebes and grey herons. These opportunities to observe nature complement the cultural attractions, without requiring you to plan a particular excursion.

Allensbach is connected by bus and train to nearby towns such as Konstanz and Radolfzell. For regional travel, you can take DB and SBB services to Singen, Radolfzell, Konstanz or Stein am Rhein. From there, the “Seehas” regional railway or Thurbo’s Seelinie runs every half hour to holiday destinations on western Lake Constance. Check the current timetables for your travel dates.

In the Wider Konstanz Destination

The wider Konstanz destination also has its own attractions. The Butterfly House on Mainau Island is home to up to 120 different butterfly species and subspecies from the tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa and Asia. Circular bus routes 4/13 and 13/4, between Konstanz/Bahnhof and the districts of Litzelstetten, Wallhausen, Dingelsdorf and Dettingen, stop near the entrance to Mainau Island; check the current timetable before travelling.

The well-signposted, 53-kilometre SeeGang premium hiking trail connects Überlingen and Konstanz and passes through the Lake Constance district and the district of Konstanz. The RadgenussRouten cycling routes on western Lake Constance run through some of the most beautiful landscapes in the district of Konstanz, combining nature, culture and regional highlights. The BODENSEECARD WEST is also part of the wider Konstanz destination: overnight guests in 14 participating towns receive one at check-in. It provides free travel in the district of Konstanz as far as Stein am Rhein and Überlingen, a 20 percent discount on Untersee boat trips and reduced admission to museums. Check whether your chosen town is a participant before you travel.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Allensbach, you can start with the kind of holiday you have in mind: lake-dwelling history and the Mühlenweg Museum offer different cultural highlights, while the outdoor classroom, birdwatching and regional cuisine add nature and culinary experiences.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Steißlingen, Öhningen, Eigeltingen, Gailingen Am Hochrhein, Hilzingen, Mühlhausen-Ehingen, Stockach, Orsingen-Nenzingen

Return to the wider travel overview: Konstanz.