Fruit from Lake Constance @museum.de

Today, "Obst vom Bodensee" – Lake Constance Fruit – is a well-known brand with a sales company that markets an extensive range of pome, or pip fruit, stone fruit and berries throughout Germany and increasingly internationally. Since the 17th century, and thanks to the favourable climate, there has been a growing shift from wine-growing to growing fruit, especially apples.

Both customers and the trade can rely on the quality of the fruit being consistent. Standards such as the Baden-Württemberg quality mark or the Bavarian “Certified Quality” seal stand for assured quality with proof of origin.

The Lake Constance region is not only home to Germany's second largest apple-growing area; it’s also a popular holiday region. The season begins in spring with the apple blossom and ends in autumn with the apple and grape harvests.

Four districts in two federal states work closely together here: Constance, Lindau, Ravensburg and the Lake Constance district.

This cooperation dates back to the early 20th century, so it’s older than Germany’s current division into federal states. After 1905, when a branch line of the Lake Constance Belt Railway linked Frickingen to the railway network, the fruit could be transported without delay. Now, summer visitors weren’t the only ones who could enjoy the local apples and pears – the fruit had found a fast distribution channel.