Paddle Steamer Hohentwiel on Lake Constance

The beautifully restored Hohentwiel, gliding across Lake Constance.

In a remarkable story of preservation, Hohentwiel, which served on Lake Constance (Bodensee) for the German Railway operators from 1913 to 1962 and did not return to service until 1990, is now the only paddle steamer on the lake. Threatened with scrapping after 1979, an international organisation was formed to maintain and preserve the ship which had been used as a Sailing Club HQ at Bregenz on the Austrian shore of the lake, and between 1986 and 1989 she was almost totally rebuilt. Now based in Hard (Austria), she provides special sailings and charters.