Hilzingen: Church, Museum and Herb Garden

St. Peter and Paul and Peter Thumb

Peter Thumb (1681–1766), from Bezau in Vorarlberg, is generally considered the master builder of the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Hilzingen. An exhibition about him is located in the café of the Hilzingen Civic and Rural Museum. In Hilzingen, the building and its master builder are therefore presented as related themes: the exhibition is devoted to Peter Thumb, while the church illustrates the architectural art associated with his name.

The church’s fabric has largely been preserved from the time it was built. It is considered a notable example of the artistic achievement and enthusiasm for building of the 18th century. At the same time, the Baroque church is a specific visitor attraction and is considered an artistic gem in the heart of the old Hegau village. For anyone interested in architecture, St. Peter and Paul offers a distinct cultural focus. Its preservation from the original building period and its place in the art of the 18th century offer two different perspectives on a visit: the building itself and its position within the building culture of the time.

Garden culture in Hilzingen-Binningen

The Syringa herb garden is located in Hilzingen-Binningen. It is considered Germany’s largest garden of fragrant plants and herbs and covers 6,000 square metres. Alongside architectural art, it offers a clearly different focus: fragrant and herb plants rather than Baroque architecture. The garden’s size and distinctive focus make it a destination in its own right when planning a trip.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Hilzingen, you can use these themes as a guide: should the history of St. Peter and Paul be the cultural centrepiece, or would you also like to include the herb garden in Binningen? This question helps you focus on the experiences that matter to you on holiday, without choosing accommodation separately from your interests in the destination.

In the wider Konstanz destination

The wider Konstanz destination offers other distinct nature and culture themes. 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. The collection may change; check the latest information about it if this visit is important to your plans.

Ring bus routes 4/13 and 13/4, running between Konstanz railway station and the districts of Litzelstetten, Wallhausen, Dingelsdorf and Dettingen, stop near the entrance to Mainau Island. If you plan to use this connection, check the current timetable before setting off. This lets you pair a visit to Mainau with practical travel guidance without conflating it with Hilzingen’s local attractions.

For outdoor activity, the well-signposted SeeGang Premium Hiking Trail offers another option in the wider Konstanz destination: it is 53 kilometres long, connects Überlingen and Konstanz, and passes through the Lake Constance district and the Konstanz district. The RadgenussRouten cycle routes around the western part of Lake Constance pass through the most beautiful landscapes in the Konstanz district and bring together nature, culture and regional highlights. This gives you a choice of different focuses when planning: a long-distance hiking route or cycle routes where nature and culture share the spotlight.

The BODENSEECARD WEST may also be relevant to overnight guests in the wider Konstanz destination. Guests receive it at check-in in 14 participating towns. It provides free travel within the Konstanz district as far as Stein am Rhein and Überlingen, a 20 per cent discount on Untersee boat trips, and reduced museum admission. Before travelling, check which towns are participating and what conditions currently apply.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Weiterdingen, Aach, Steißlingen, Mühlhausen-Ehingen, Büsingen Am Hochrhein, Gailingen Am Hochrhein, Allensbach, Volkertshausen

Back to the regional travel overview: Konstanz.