Hilzingen: Baroque Church and Herb Garden

St. Peter and Paul: Baroque architecture

The Baroque Church of St. Peter and Paul is a cultural attraction in Hilzingen that brings together architectural history and 18th-century art. Most of its original structure has been preserved; it is also considered a notable example of the art and enthusiasm for building of that era. The church is a destination in its own right and is regarded as an artistic gem in the heart of the old Hegau village. Its Baroque design is not the only focus: significant parts of the building have also been preserved from the period in which it was built.

Peter Thumb, from Bezau in Vorarlberg, is generally considered the church’s master builder. He lived from 1681 to 1766. An exhibition about Thumb is located in the café of the Hilzingen Civic and Farming Museum. It focuses on his work as the master builder of the late-Baroque pilgrimage church of St. Peter and Paul in Hilzingen. The exhibition and the church offer different perspectives: the exhibition focuses on the master builder, while the church stands out as a preserved building and an example of 18th-century art.

Syringa Herb Garden in Hilzingen-Binningen

The Syringa Herb Garden is located in Hilzingen-Binningen, within the municipality. It is considered Germany’s largest fragrant-plant and herb garden and covers 6,000 square metres. Its size gives a concrete sense of its scale, while its name points to its focus on fragrant plants and herbs. Alongside ecclesiastical architecture, the municipality thus offers another focus, centred on plants. When planning your trip, you can compare these themes according to your interests: St. Peter and Paul represents Baroque architecture and architectural history, while Syringa focuses on fragrant plants and herbs.

More destinations in the wider Konstanz travel destination

On Mainau Island, in the wider Konstanz travel destination, the Butterfly House is home to up to 120 different species and subspecies of butterflies from the tropical regions of South and Central America, Africa, and Asia. The Butterfly House adds a distinct nature-focused attraction in the wider Konstanz travel destination to Hilzingen’s local themes.

The 4/13 and 13/4 ring bus routes are also part of the Konstanz area. They connect Konstanz railway station with the districts of Litzelstetten, Wallhausen, Dingelsdorf, and Dettingen, and stop near the entrance to Mainau Island. If you include Mainau in your travel plans, check the current timetable before setting off.

For hiking enthusiasts, the well-signposted SeeGang Premium Hiking Trail connects Überlingen and Konstanz. It is 53 kilometres long and runs through the Lake Constance district and the district of Konstanz. The Westlicher Bodensee RadgenussRouten cycling routes pass through the most beautiful landscapes in the district of Konstanz and connect nature, culture, and regional attractions. The wider Konstanz travel destination therefore offers both a hiking trail with named endpoints and cycling routes with a regional focus on nature and culture.

The BODENSEECARD WEST may also be relevant to overnight guests in the wider Konstanz travel destination. Guests staying overnight in 14 participating towns receive it 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. Before your trip, check whether your accommodation is in one of the participating towns.

Discover more destinations: Weiterdingen, Litzelstetten, Büsingen Am Hochrhein, Aach, Öhningen, Allensbach, Eigeltingen, Gottmadingen.

View the wider travel guide: Konstanz.