The church contains a crypt, a rare feature for churches of this era in the region, which was added to house relics.
The frescoes in the apse are among the oldest surviving examples of their kind in the German-speaking world.
The building was constructed using sandstone sourced from nearby quarries, which has required ongoing conservation efforts to combat salt damage.
The church is oriented towards the east, aligning with liturgical traditions observed by Benedictine monks in the Middle Ages.
During the 18th century, the original Romanesque interior was partially Baroque-styled, but subsequent restorations in the 20th century returned it to its medieval appearance.
Basilika Sankt Peter und Paul is an 11th-century Romanesque church located on Reichenau Island, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Lake Constance. The structure is part of the former Benedictine monastery complex founded in 724 AD. It features a notable flat-roofed nave and a distinctive apse decorated with 11th-century frescoes depicting Christ in Majesty. The current building stands on the site of previous Carolingian foundations discovered during archaeological excavations. It serves as a parish church for the local community and is one of three major medieval churches on the island. The architecture exemplifies the monastic building style prevalent in the Ottonian era. The interior preserves original structural elements that date back nearly a thousand years.
From the exterior pathway, framing the church towers against the background of Lake Constance.
Combine your visit with the other two medieval churches on the island to see the complete monastic ensemble.
Check the local church website before visiting to ensure the interior is not reserved for private religious services or concerts.
Walk the surrounding paths along the island’s vegetable gardens to appreciate the church's silhouette from a distance.
Do not attempt to enter the church during ongoing mass or liturgical services.
Occasionally closed to tourists during weddings, funerals, or special religious holidays.
Maintain silence as it is an active house of worship; remove hats and dress modestly.
