Lindenhof park with villa

Where guests today find the perfect place to relax close to nature, the foundation stone for the Lindau villa district was laid at the beginning of the 19th century. The idea for the extensive area on the lakeshore in Bad Schachen dates back to the middle of the 19th century, when Friedrich Gruber from Lindau wanted a retreat surrounded by greenery. He had made a name for himself as a successful merchant in Italy. The 7.5-hectare site with a view of the lake seemed ideal for his domicile.

An oasis, famous far beyond the city limits

The young Munich architect Franz Jakob Kreuter was commissioned to build the villa. He oversaw the project from 1842 to 1845 and the renowned garden artist Maximilian Friedrich Weyhe (1775-1846) transformed the surrounding orchards into a huge landscaped garden. The impressive ensemble of stately villa and perfectly designed park not only found favour with the merchant Gruber, but soon became famous beyond the city limits. However, the client was not granted an eternity in his oasis: Gruber died in 1850, just a few years after completing his estate.

Enjoy nature in all seasons

In 1956, the villa and park were transferred from the Gruber family to the town of Lindau. This meant that the Lindenhof park could be opened to the public in all its splendour. Since then, locals and visitors alike have enjoyed the park in all its facets – and in all seasons. In summer, the huge old trees provide soothing shade and the Lindenhofbad invites you to take a refreshing dip in the cool water. Picnic blankets, children playing and a lively exuberance characterise the picture. The area is completely different in autumn and winter: The mist from the lake often drifts over the shore, creating a unique atmosphere of peace and seclusion.

Association for the preservation of Lindenhofpark

Today, Lindenhof park is one of the most attractive parks in southern Germany. The ‘Förderverein Gartendenkmal Lindenhofpark’ is committed to preserving the valuable park on the shores of Lake Constance and has reconstructed the historic arcades, among other things. There is also no lack of a critical examination of the ‘fashion’ in horticulture at the time: garden artist Kreuter created a park that – with its curved paths, artificially created hills and specially planted groves – ultimately conveys an idealised image of nature as we understand it today. The preservation and maintenance of the Lindenhof park thus not only preserves a valuable natural space in the city, but also a piece of horticultural history.

Further information on the Förderverein Gartendenkmal Lindenhofpark can be found here.

Tip: A detour to the Lindau Peace Rooms in the east wing of Villa Lindenhof. Visitors can interactively explore the themes of peace and justice. The rooms and the exhibition are designed to encourage guests to get involved in peaceful coexistence in their personal, social and political lives.