Prehistoric Pile Dwellings

The well-preserved remains of almost 1,000 pile dwellings and moorland settlements can be found in numerous lakes and wetland areas in and around the Alps.

The UNESCO World Heritage property comprises a total of 111 exemplary pile dwelling sites in the Alpine regions of Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Slovenia and Switzerland. Of the sites in Germany, 15 are located in Baden-Württemberg, predominantly in the western part of Lake Constance and on Lake Federsee, and three are in Bavaria, on Lake Starnberg (Rose Island) and in Pestenacker and Unfriedshausen near Landsberg am Lech.

These ancient dwellings date back to between 5,000 and 500 BC. The boggy conditions at the sites mean that wood, textiles, plant remains and other materials have been extremely well preserved. Significant finds of fabrics, wheels, carts and logboats, many still in excellent condition, provide important information on settlement structures, trade and mobility during the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron Age.

The Lake Dwelling Museum at Unteruhldingen on Lake Constance and the Federsee Museum at Bad Buchau offer valuable insights into this fascinating subject.