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www.germany.travel Press Information Key theme for the GNTB in 2014 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance: setting the course of European history Frankfurt am Main, 19 September 2013 – In 2014, the region around Lake Constance will be celebrating the 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance – the largest religious congress of the Middle Ages. Between 1414 and 1418, important figures from all over Europe assembled in Constance to discuss the future of the divided church and to elect a new Pope. At that time, three Popes were vying for the chair of St. Peter and the situation was very delicate. Each had the support of different rulers in Europe, which led to political turmoil both within and beyond the Holy Roman Empire. There was also unrest among the people because the clergy was increasingly engaging in worldly pleasures and abusing the sale of indulgences. When Sigismund became the German king in 1410, he recognised the need to restore unity to the Western Church. Using his excellent contacts within Europe and good connections to the three Papal claimants, he orchestrated the 16th ecumenical council to heal the schism in the church. Constance was chosen as the venue. The papal election of 1417 is thought to be the only one that has ever been held north of the Alps – this defining event made the town the centre of the Christian world between 1414 and 1418. Never before had a council lasted so long, nor drawn so many participants. Constance became a melting pot of cultures. The dynamic exchange of goods and knowledge alone left an indelible mark on the society of the time. For several years, merchants, artists and representatives from renowned European universities shaped life around Lake Constance. The town of Constance promises to be a magnificent backdrop for the forthcoming anniversary celebrations with its well-preserved historical old quarter and host of authentic locations – the building in which the council was hosted, for example, still exists today. It was built between 1388 and 1391 as a trading post and lakeside market hall. Here, between mighty oak columns, church dignitaries assembled in the upper hall behind German National Tourist Board (GNTB) Beethovenstrasse 69 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany Phone: +49 69 97464-262 Fax: +49 69 97464-233 [email protected] www.germany.travel bricked-up windows to engage in their deliberations until finally, in November 1417, the Roman Cardinal Oddo Colonna was elected Pope Martin V. The impact of this election is still relevant today. It is thanks to the outcome of the Council of Constance that the present-day Catholic Church is united under one Pope. The major regional exhibition ‘The Council of Constance 1414-1418. A Medieval World Event’ opens at the market hall on 27 April 2014. On display will be a unique collection of exhibits on loan from a number of important museums in Europe. With its proximity to Switzerland and its vibrant, cosmopolitan flair, Constance is a magnet for travellers. Just as it was at the time of the Council of Constance – when people from all over the world descended upon this lakeside town and trading hub. “The anniversary of the Council of Constance next year will present a fantastic opportunity for visitors from all over Europe to get to know another facet of Germany’s culture,” says Petra Hedorfer, Chief Executive Officer of the GNTB. Germany is a very popular destination for cultural travel and was the number one cultural destination for European travellers in 2012. The Anholt-GfK Roper Nation Brands Index, a survey measuring and comparing the reputation of 50 countries around the world, also confirms Germany’s outstanding image as a cultural destination. Petra Hedorfer: “Germany has played a key role in the history of the church, and many travellers see anniversaries, such as the 600th anniversary of the Council of Constance, as an opportunity to travel around Germany visiting the most important sites of historical interest.” About the GNTB The German National Tourist Board (GNTB) has its headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. It works on behalf of the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology (BMWi) to represent Germany as a tourist destination and is funded by the Ministry in accordance with a decision taken by the German Bundestag. The GNTB develops and communicates strategies and products to promote Germany's positive image abroad as a tourist destination and to encourage tourists to visit the country. It has 30 agencies around the world to support its activities. More information can be found in our online press centre at www.germany.travel/presse. German National Tourist Board (GNTB) Beethovenstrasse 69 60325 Frankfurt am Main Germany Phone: +49 69 97464-262 Fax: +49 69 97464-233 [email protected]