A place travelers can visit Mainau Island

Reviews: Mainau Island

General description: Mainau Island

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If you approach Mainau Island by boat, you will see the castle peeking out amongst thick greenery from far away. Millions of flowers and a count's family form part of the largest tourist attraction on Lake Constance.
 
History of Mainau Island
With around 1.1 million visitors a year, Mainau is the largest and best-known tourist attraction on Lake Constance. 5000 years ago, the 45 hectare island was a base for the Roman fleet. In the 8th century, it belonged to Reichenau Monastery, and then it was the property of the Teutonic Order for over 500 years. In 1853, it was acquired as a summer retreat by Grand Duke Frederick I. He established the rose garden, which still exists today and contains 20,000 roses in 1200 different species. When the grand duke's daughter became Queen Victoria of Sweden through marriage, the island became Swedish property. Count Lennart Bernadotte took it over in 1932 and transformed the overgrown island into a paradise for nature lovers. Through marriage to a commoner, Bernadotte lost his Swedish title of prince in the 1930s. He was only made into a count in 1952 by an aunt from Luxembourg. Count Lennart died in 2004. His widow, Countess Sonja, handed over control of Mainau to her two eldest children, Countess Bettina and Count Björn, at the start of 2007.
 
What to see on the Island
As well as enjoying a stroll along the vast flower beds, it is worth spending some time in the arboretum with its mammoth trees. 500 different species of broad-leaved shrubs and conifers grow here. At the "Glass Florist" you can watch gardeners and florists at work. If you come early in the morning or in the evening, you will experience a different, tranquil Mainau. A visit in the mist of autumn or in the snow also has its own particular charm. The "blooming season" lasts from the end of March to the end of October. During this period, you can get in at half price from 5 p.m. with the "sunset ticket". Admission prices are reduced out of season, but so are the number of attractions and the range of food and drink available.
 
Visiting Mainau
From the mainland (car park and bus no. 4 from Constance railway station), the island can be reached via a bridge. If you are unable to walk far, you can catch the island bus from the car park on the mainland to close to the castle.
Mainau Island is open from sunrise to sunset
Admission prices
Adults: €16
Children/Students: €9
Children under 13: Free
Sunset ticket valid from 5pm: 1/2 Price
Group, Family and season ticket discounts available
Website: http://www.mainau.de/home.html

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