Imperia
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles215 reviews
Excellent
96
Very good
89
Average
24
Poor
1
Terrible
5

SophiaSeriouslyNow
Athens, Greece162 contributions
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2022
I have had mixed feelings about theis statue. I thought it was ugly. However I was intrigued by the story behind. The sculptor was inspired by a story written by Honoré de Balzac, La belle Impéria, published in 1832–1837), where the beautiful Imperia is a Konstanz courtesan. During the Council of Constance, Imperia is the lover of "cardinals, dignitaries, and princes and turns out to be the secret ruler of the Council: "The highest as well as the boldest courted her, a hint from her could cost you your life and even relentless virtuous ones crawled on her glue and danced to her tune." Balzac takes aim at the double standards of the clergy of the Catholic Church.
Written September 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charlotte M
Stockholm, Sweden26 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
Imperia holds the king in one hand and the pope in the other. So I am told. But to me the pope looks like the devil. A coincidence?
I whish there was more information about the old history behind this rather young statue.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

permia
Ireland65,420 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2024 • Couples
A splendid modern sculpture from 1993 that has engendered more than one interpretation of the two male figures that she holds in her upright outstretched hands.

Harking back to the early 1400s Council of Constance, one version deems the men a Pope and Emperor from the period. But this was denied by its creator Peter Lenk.

Irrespective of whom they represent it is a marvellous achievement. And it slowly rotates over 4 minutes.
Written October 22, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Dr Bert M
Muenster, Germany111 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2016 • Couples
the Emperia is historically seen with the Council of Constance from 1414-1418, it stands at the hafeneinfahrt.Die figure is nine meters high, 18 tons and rotates with the help of a round table within four minutes once around its own axis. This statue commemorates satirically at the Council of Constance. It shows a rich courtesan, of a deep neckline and a cape, which is closed only provisionally by a belt, giving unique sexiness. On their hands up wearing two dwarfish naked men. The man in her right hand wearing on his head the crown of a king and holding an orb in his hand; the figure in her left hand wearing a papal tiara and sitting with legs crossed. It is not clear whether the figures were portraits of the rulers at the time the Council of Constance. This constellation of figures reminiscent of the alleged "Mätressenherrschaft".
Written June 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helmut S
Bangkok, Thailand2,027 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2019 • Solo
The Imperia is a satirical allusion to the Council of Constance (1414-1418) when prostitution flourished. The statue is a sparsely dressed woman, a courtesan, holding two naked male figures, one with the papal tiara representing Pope Martin V. and the other one with an imperial crown representing the Emperor Sigismund, the two most powerful men of their time. The figure, created by the artist Peter Lenk, stands on a round table that rotates once on its own axis in four minutes. The Imperia was erected in 1993 and over time became a tourist attraction on Lake Constance.
It is strange that couples hang locks on the fence of the Imperia, a courtesan, certainly not known for eternal love.
Written July 8, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

FormerCaliBoy
Zurich, Switzerland18,995 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2017 • Solo
Imperia is the concrete statue located at the end of the harbor dock. She continually rotates, overlooks and protects the harbor and city of Konstanz. This massive female statue holds and balances two men in the palm of her hands. At the base of the statue is an information plaque listing information about the highest and lowest water depths recorded and other items.

The harbor area is a popular spot during the summer months as there are benches at the edge of the water overlooking the lake. One can also take boat cruises from this location as well as boat trips to Meersburg, Friedrichshafen, Mainau, the Rhein and more.
Written February 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alesch2014
Jundiai, SP83 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2017 • Family
it is a nice are to visit, the statue of a prostitute became the symbol of the town ( interesting), it turns constantly, so that you can have different angles
Written January 10, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gergana V
Plovdiv, Bulgaria90 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016 • Business
Very beautiful views to the see, big statue is rotating, perfect for pairs and romantic walks. You musst see this
Written September 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

fijomo
Düsseldorf, Germany286 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2016
The statue of Imperia is a kind of symbol of the city at the entrance of the harbour. The artist Peter Lenk is famous for all his sculptures, statues and fountains, which are ironic copies of present or historic personalities. The Imperia was a callgirl during the time of the council 1414-1418. She keeps the church and the state power in her hands.
If you understand history you are allowed to visit this callgirl - for free!
If not - only enjoy the view to the lake and the Alps.
Written September 25, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Hermes797
Cork, Ireland138 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2015 • Friends
Considering the story behind the statue, Imperia is certainly unique by today's standards (Especially when trying to explain the story to kids/teens!). Nevertheless, its a cool monument and its podium offers great views onto Lake Konstanz and the Alps in the distance.
Written August 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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