Menzing Gardens Green networking as part of the Überlingen 2020 State Garden Show

Green networking as part of the Überlingen 2020 State Garden Show



On the edge of Überlingen's old town, there has been a garden

within the city walls - the "Menzinger Gärten". As part of the 2020/21 State Garden Show, these will be renovated and made fully accessible to the public for the first time.



The complex is divided into three areas:

With a view of Lake Constance and the rooftops of the city, there are viewing terraces and a playground at the top of the slope, followed by the middle slope area, which contains planting areas, a vineyard and a small orchard, as well as a lower, historically reconstructed area of hedge carrés.



The upper area is generously laid out to allow visitors

the fantastic view across the lake to the Alps

and over the city's roofscape. Those who

the narrow, winding alleyways of the old town behind you,

enjoy the vastness here. In the shade of a lime tree, children can

explore the new "Münsterturm" playground. This "cathedral tower" refers to the history of the real Überlingen cathedral, which was originally
to be built with two towers.


Steep southwest-facing embankments along the maintenance path are planted with vines in the central area. Here you will find the grape varieties grown on the lake (Muscat bleu, Venus, Talisman and Souvignier gris) with explanations of the history of viticulture in Überlingen. A local winery has taken over the planting and maintenance of the vineyard.



"Urban gardening" was already taking place in the lower part around 1642, as can be seen on a Merian engraving. Until recently, the area was used by allotment gardeners - largely unknown to most passers-by and even locals, as only a small, difficult-to-access viewing area allowed insights into the gardens behind the sloping walls. The original, enchanted charm of the grounds will be restored by the project. The departed box hedges in the garden plots will be replaced by yew hedges, and the paths of the carrés will be slightly widened for the garden show and for better management. During the State Garden Show, the hedge carées were home to the SWR, Mainau and

Meersburg gardens. Fragrance and herb gardens as well as summer flower areas filled the geometric grid of yew hedges with life. After the Landesgartenschau, the plots were leased out again as allotments.



The Menzing Gardens are an oasis in the city that offer the

Überlingen residents a retreat from the heavily frequented tourist promenade. The redesign has brought an almost unknown urban green space to the attention of the local population and can be used by them.