Gaienhofen between art, literature and landscape

Gaienhofen brings together a tangible history of art and literature with routes that put the landscape centre stage. The Hesse Museum Gaienhofen spans two neighbouring historic buildings: a former 17th-century farmhouse and Hermann Hesse’s former home. Its cultural scope therefore ranges from the history of the buildings to the artists and writers associated with the Höri peninsula.

Art and literature at the Hesse Museum

The former farmhouse houses the permanent exhibitions “Literary Landscape of the Höri” and “Artistic Landscape of the Höri”. “Literary Landscape of the Höri” presents the development of a diverse artistic and literary landscape on Lake Untersee. The permanent exhibition “Artistic Landscape of the Höri” documents the arrival of numerous visual artists on the Höri peninsula from the beginning of the 20th century onwards. The exhibition themes thus lead from literature and regional art history to the artists who settled here.

The former Hermann Hesse residence houses the permanent exhibition “Gaienhofen Detours: Hermann Hesse and His First House”. Hesse lived in Gaienhofen from 1904 to 1912. Otto Dix is also associated with the Höri: he lived in Hemmenhofen on the peninsula from 1936 to 1969. The two lives offer different ways into the area’s art and literary history.

Art trail and circular hike

The themes of art and landscape continue along the art trail between the landing stages in Gaienhofen and Hemmenhofen. The route takes about two hours. Stelae along the way mark places where artists captured views of Lake Constance in their paintings. The trail therefore leads not only from one landing stage to another but also draws attention to the artistic perception of the landscape.

You can combine the art trail with a boat trip from Hemmenhofen back to Gaienhofen. If you are planning this combination, check the timetable for your travel date. The Gaienhofen–Mittlere Höri circular hike offers a different impression of the landscape: it is 12.61 kilometres long, passes through a nature reserve to Hornstaad, and returns to Gaienhofen along the lakeshore. The routes have different focuses: one features art stelae and landing stages, while the other loops through the nature reserve and returns along the shore.

Water, excursions and local information

In the district of Horn, Horn lido has a mini-golf course, a volleyball court and a restaurant. This adds another option for planning your day alongside the exhibitions and walking routes. Scheduled boats operated by the Untersee and Rhine Navigation Company also call at Gaienhofen from Konstanz, Schaffhausen and Stein am Rhein. If you plan to travel by boat, you can check the timetable in advance for your chosen day.

Gaienhofen’s official tourism service provides information for planning excursions and tours, as well as active leisure and food and drink. This includes maps showing transport and attractions in the western Lake Constance region. The Western Lake Constance holiday region extends from Konstanz via Reichenau and Radolfzell, across the Höri peninsula and on to Hegau. Its regional themes invite visitors to follow in the footsteps of Hermann Hesse and Otto Dix on the Höri.

If you are looking for accommodation in Gaienhofen, your plans can help guide your search: will your trip focus mainly on cultural history, an art trail or a hike?

Discover more places

Also explore Gundholzen and Horn.

Discover more destinations: Reichenau, Steißlingen, Büsingen am Hochrhein, Gailingen am Hochrhein, Mühlhausen-Ehingen, Moos.

Return to the main travel overview: Konstanz.