The Minster of St. Maria and Markus (former monastery church) is the oldest on the island of Reichenau. Built by monastery founder Pirmin, the simple wooden structure was replaced by a 40 m stone structure later in the 8th c. Opposite the convent buildings on the North side, a cloister and a 2-story monk's house were then added. These buildings expanded once again as the island convent grew to 134 monks in the mid-9th c.
While the subterranean monastery complex is only partially intact, historians can trace its developmental stages to the present day. The eastern transept and the crossing arches come from the three-aisled cross basilica built by Abbot Heito I in 816. While Heito's crossing structure remained unchanged for a long time, the western part of the abbey church was rebuilt several times. The westwork received its current look under Abbot Berno and was consecrated in the presence of Emperor Heinrich III, shortly before Berno’s death in 1048.
After the abbey’s decline, a regulated monastic life resumed under Abbot Friedrich von Wartenberg (1427-1435). He began reconstructing the Gothic choir, finally completing it in 1555. The monastery continued as a priory after incorporating into the diocese of Constance in 1540. Prince-Bishop Jakob Fugger built new convent buildings on the South side from 1605 to 1610 which prompted the demolition of the "old monastery.” The monastery completely dissolved in 1757. Today, the convent buildings serve as the rectory and municipal offices. The Reichenau Winegrowers‘ Association presses Reichenau wine in the associated spacious cellars.
The cathedral treasury houses numerous reliquary shrines and other religious objects from the 5th-18th centuries.
Tours: Guided tours offered to visitors from April to October on Tuesdays at 5:00 p.m.
Guided group tours available year-round through the tourist information office.
