Dingelsdorf on Lake Überlingen: Pile-Dwelling History and Nature

Dingelsdorf on Lake Überlingen can be explored through several different themes: Neolithic settlement, local architectural history and a protected landscape. Village culture and historical ties to the lakeshore also give the place its distinctive character. If you are planning a stay, these facets can help you decide which aspects of Dingelsdorf interest you most.

Pile-Dwelling History on Lake Überlingen

The pile-dwelling exhibition opened in Dingelsdorf Town Hall in 2011. It offers a vivid insight into Neolithic settlement on Lake Überlingen. A pile from a house near Dingelsdorf–Klausenhorn provides a precise archaeological date: dendrochronology dated it exactly to 3826 BC. In different ways, the exhibition and the dating show how the subject of pile dwellings can be explored: through settlement by the lake, and through a specific find with an exact year assigned to it.

Buildings and Former Uses

Dingelsdorf’s listed buildings include St. Nicholas Parish Church, dating from 1493, the “Hailig Creutz” chapel in Oberdorf, the Seemühle mill and the town hall. The town hall is a listed solid-masonry building dating from 1713. The parish church has a peal of three bells that is considered particularly valuable from the perspective of bell conservation. Together, these different building types show the variety of local historical landmarks.

Two half-timbered houses from the 17th century are also among the listed features: Haus Romer and the “Kudermannsches Haus.” The half-timbered Haus Romer served as the guesthouse of Mainau. The building known as the “Kudermannsches Haus” was used as a post office. In Oberdorf/Dingelsdorf, the former Kehlhof stands right next to the Holy Cross Chapel; later, the Kehlhof was used as Galerie Bagnato. The houses’ former functions add concrete connections to residential life and postal services to the architectural history.

Klausenhorn, Ferry History and Village Culture

At Klausenhorn, a cross and structural remains recall earlier navigation on the lake. The cross marked the destination of the crossing from Überlingen to Dingelsdorf. Remains of a landing stage dating from the Thirty Years’ War have been preserved at the crucifix. It was built from oak trunks and stones. Here, the traditional crossing over the lake and the surviving traces of a landing stage come together.

Fährmann-Klemens-Park commemorates Klemens Baumann, known as the “Old Man of the Lake.” Until 1888, he operated the ferry between the tip of Klausenhorn and Überlingen, crossed the lake around 50,000 times and rescued 17 people in distress on the lake. The lakeside park was redesigned in 2013 and has been called Fährmann-Klemens-Park ever since. The Narrenbrunnen fountain in the village square commemorates another part of local cultural life: it was dedicated to the “Ala-Bock” carnival society in 1996. Every year, the society holds the Brunnenlauffest there.

Nature, Swimming and Hiking

The “Dingelsdorfer Ried” nature reserve includes land within the boundaries of Dettingen and Dingelsdorf, both part of the City of Konstanz. It protects a wetland that is home to rare plant communities and provides a habitat for numerous rare, protected animal and plant species. The Ried’s importance therefore lies both in its plant communities and in protecting its animal and plant life.

At Dingelsdorf lido, you can swim in Lake Überlingen in a natural setting right next to a nature reserve. The lakeside hike offers another clear landmark for walkers: it starts in Dingelsdorf at the White Fleet’s landing stage. Swimming in the lake, the protected area of the Ried and the hike’s starting point offer different ways to enjoy a stay in Dingelsdorf.

Discover more destinations: Staad, Mainau.

For the main travel overview: Konstanz.