New Lindau Lighthouse

Not many people, even within Bavaria – the land of the Alps and alpine pastures – know that it has a lighthouse. A glance at the map reveals that this tower is the southernmost in the entire country. And the fact that this structure, completed in 1856, is truly extraordinary is something you should see for yourself during your visit to the island city. From the observation deck, you can enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of the tri-border area and the island itself.

There’s much to discover inside the New Lindau Lighthouse

When the weather is good, the door to the 139 steps that lead you 36 meters up is open. But don’t worry – pauses are expressly encouraged on the landings between the narrow wooden stairs of the five floors. The interior walls of the tower are adorned with old drawings, amusing anecdotes, and interesting facts about Lindau and Lake Constance. Here, you’ll learn what the lower part of the lighthouse was used for during the war, when the lake was last completely frozen over allowing planes to land on it, and why Lake Constance may eventually cease to exist. You’ll also find information about the weather on the lake, including waterspouts, sea smoke, fog, and waves, as well as the local wildlife, from giant catfish to carp. Tall visitors should remember this saying for the climb: “Don’t hold your head too high, there’s too much wood around here!”

You can also find out why the lighthouse has a clock as you climb up. But we’ll tell you right here: it was once operated by the railway administration, which wanted to inform travelers at the nearby train station of the time. The green decorative hands measure 1.60 meters in diameter. The lighthouse came into the ownership of the city of Lindau only in 2010, and it kept its clock.

Originally, the lighthouse served as a navigational aid for ships at sea. Before the discovery of electricity, the lighthouse keeper had to operate the fog bell, and later the bellows. After being replaced by kerosene, oil, and gas lamps, the beacon has been operated electrically via two rotating searchlights by radio since 1936. However, the light signal, which rotates 10 times and blinks 20 times per minute during storms, was modified. Because it significantly disturbed the sleep of residents, the light was shaded toward the harbor side in the 1930s. Today, the searchlights are usually inactive – they are only activated by radio from Lake Constance ships during very bad weather conditions.