Alf Hofstetter
Google
The Island and city of Lindau, located at the very east of South Germany's Lake of Constance (Bodensee), belonging to the state of Bavaria which allows Bavaria to have access to a small part of the Lake.
First records go back to 200 when during the Roman Empire remains of a Roman Villa were found. In 882 a Monk from the St. Gallen (Switzerland) Abbey established a Catholic Convent.
He documented and named Lindau, which in his translation means 'Island of the Linden tree's'. All this happened at the nearby area of Aeschach but in 1079 the Convent moved to the Island itself.
Due to it's growing Trade activities with neighboring countries Austria, Switzerland and Italy it was given the status of an 'free Imperial city' in 1275.
The French Revolution (1789) brought a lot of changes and Lindau became part of Austria but returned to Bavaria in 1805. With this in 1853 an important Train station was built, connecting the area with Munich, and South Europe.
After WWII it was occupied by French troops (while the remaining Bavaria was under American control)
As it was never badly battled or bombed, Lindau today is a jewel of old historic houses with churches, markets and activities.
Note: In 1322 the Lindauer Bote (Lindau messenger) was a Postal service that travelled once a week from Lindau via Austria, Switzerland's Alp's (the Viamala) to Italia's Milan. The 325 Km journey took 5 days on a horse carriage. (run until 1824)
