Curiosities of Constance

Larger than life, a curvaceous and scantily dressed lady slowly rotates on a towering pedestal at the harbour entrance to the town of Constance (Konstanz), which sits on the lake of the same name (also known as Bodensee).

Imperia is the lake’s most photographed landmark. Her arms outstretched, a tiny naked man sits in the palm of each hand, one wearing a crown, the other a papal tiara. These ‘gentlemen’ represent the religious and royal powers that assembled in Constance from 1414-18 to resolve a deep division within the Roman Catholic church as to who actually was the Pope. Imperia pokes fun at these dignitaries, who were notoriously entertained by the town’s courtesans.

The statue is the work of local artist, Peter Lenk, and we would see more of Lenk’s creativity at other resorts along Lake Constance. Unsurprisingly, Lenk’s trademark Spitting Image-style savagery is highly controversial; although, as we relaxed into the Mediterranean vibe around central Europe’s third largest lake, his satire certainly made us smile.

Sharing its whopping bulge in the Rhine with three countries – Germany, Austria and Switzerland – in one