CON'STANCE (Ger. Konstanz; or Kostnitz). A city of the Grand Duchy of Baden, situ ated on both banks of the Rhine, where it leaves Lake Constance, about 35 miles northeast of Zurich (Slap: Germany, C 5). Remains of its ancient fortifications arc still extant in the two old city gates. The cathedral, founded in the eleventh century, was rebuilt in the fifteenth century. The Carved oak portals and clndr-stalls are fine specimens of wood-carving. It was here that Huss was sentenced by the council to be burned at the stake. Other ecclesiastical build ings of interest are the Church of Saint Stephen and the Dominican monastery, on an island, in which Buss was confined, and now used as a hotel. The notable secular buildings include the old Kaufhaus, containing the hall in which the conclave of cardinals met to elect a pope at the time of the famous council in 1417; the Rosgar ten, the former guildhall of the butchers, con taining an interesting museum; and the town hall, with the city archives. Constance has manu
factures of linen and cotton, carpets, soap, and chemicals. Population, in 1890, 16,235; in 1900, 21,345. Constance was known to the Romans at least as early as the third century. In 570 it was made the seat of a bishopric, which existed as one of the most powerful in Germany until its secularization in 1803. In 780 Constance was given municipal rights, and in 1192 was made a free imperial city. For joining the Schmalkaldie League it was deprived of its imperial privileges in 1548 and presented to Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. In 1806 it became a part of the Grand Duchy of Baden. Consult Cesehiehte der Bi sehofe roe Konstanz, (Innsbruck, 1894-96).