Cavazzen ceremoniously reopened: Söder enjoys pistachio ice cream in Lindau!

Cavazzen ceremoniously reopened: Söder enjoys pistachio ice cream in Lindau!

It was with great joy that the Haus zum Cavazzen in Lindau was reopened on May 16, 2025. The festive opening took place in the city theater, in the presence of Mayor Dr. Claudia Alfons and Bavaria's Prime Minister Markus Söder. Together they opened the main entrance to the building, which is considered the most beautiful baroque palace on Lake Constance. The ceremony was attended by over 700 guests, including prominent politicians such as Minister of State for Europe Eric Beißwenger and District President of Swabia Barbara Schretter.

For this festive occasion, a ribbon was ceremonially tied by Dr. Alfons was solved. As part of the event, Söder gave a passionate speech in which he emphasized the beauty of Lindau and the important role of Cavazzen in the culture of the region. Historian Thomas Gruber complemented the ceremony with a lecture on the history of the city, while a string quartet and other music groups provided the musical accompaniment.

A historical legacy

The Haus zum Cavazzen, built in 1729/1730 for the Seutter merchant family, was built after a devastating fire that destroyed many buildings on the market square. Ludwig Kick later donated the building to the city of Lindau to set up a local history museum. The Great Cavazzen, an impressive three-story masonry building with a decorated mansard roof, and the Little Cavazzen, which adjoins the main building to the south, are today considered outstanding examples of Baroque architecture in the Lake Constance region. Special features are the opulent facade paintings and the ship-like shape of the roof, which reaches a height of over eleven meters.

The extensive renovation of the Cavazzen required an investment of around 30 million euros, which was realized over a period of ten years. An important supporter of these restoration measures was the German Foundation for Monument Protection (DSD), which contributed 180,000 euros to the reconstruction of the facade surfaces and the repair of the historical windows. The project was managed by museum director Barbara Reil and Alexander Warmbrunn.

Cultural significance and outlook

The Cavazzen has attracted a large number of visitors since it first opened in 1930. Since 2011, a total of 900,000 guests have been welcomed. With this reopening, the museum now has the opportunity to offer art and enjoyment all year round. After the ceremony, hundreds of colorful balloons rose into the sky, which further underlined the happy atmosphere of the event.

The population of Lindau is invited to take part in upcoming events, including the “Notte italiana” and the “Giro del Cavazzo”. Prime Minister Söder used the opportunity to emphasize the importance of freedom and lightness in society, praising the role of Cavazzens as a cultural and social meeting place.

For further information on the reopening of the Haus zum Cavazzen, see Swabian and German Monument Protection Foundation.