Lush blossoms all year round, a park with over 150-year-old trees, the baroque splendor of the castle and church, plus the Mediterranean character - this is Mainau, the flower island in Lake Constance.
Lennart Count Bernadotte († 2004), the great-grandson of Grand Duke Friedrich I and Lord of Mainau, transformed the overgrown park into a paradise of flowers and plants and made the island accessible to the public. Sonja Countess Bernadotte († 2008), the managing director of Mainau GmbH for decades, continued to run the business in her husband's spirit. In 1974, Countess Sonja and Count Lennart transferred the entire island to Mainau GmbH, whose main shareholder is the non-profit Lennart Bernadotte Foundation.
Today, Bettina Countess Bernadotte and Björn Count Bernadotte are at the helm of the company. The fourth Bernadotte generation, following Count Lennart, strives to continue the well-founded philosophy that has been developed since 1932 and to maintain and create an oasis of natural beauty, harmony and relaxation for visitors from all over the world. Forgetting the stress of everyday life and the over-technologized age for a few hours and finding relaxation in "slowing down" should be the benefit for Mainau guests when they visit the flower island in Lake Constance, which is favoured by the climate and is unique in the world.
Björn Count Bernadotte af Wisborg
Forests and nature are his space for regeneration: Björn Graf Bernadotte, born in 1975, is the eldest son of company founder Lennart Graf Bernadotte († 2004) and Sonja Gräfin Bernadotte († 2008). In addition to a commercial apprenticeship, Björn Count Bernadotte completed a degree in social education in Rorschach (Switzerland). He has been Managing Director of Mainau GmbH since 2011 and manages the tourism company together with his sister Bettina Countess Bernadotte. In addition to his role as Managing Director of Mainau GmbH, Björn Count Bernadotte has also been President of the University of Konstanz Society since 2015 and an executive member of the board of the non-profit Lennart Bernadotte Foundation. The foundation's mission also includes supporting the Gärtnern für Alle association, which Sandra Countess Bernadotte has chaired since December 2009.
Bettina Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg and Philipp Haug
Experiencing nature is her hobby: Bettina Countess Bernadotte, born in 1974, has been Managing Director of Mainau GmbH since January 1, 2007 and wants visitors to the flower island in Lake Constance to find relaxation through intensive contact with nature. A graduate in tourism management, she is involved in a wide range of voluntary work. Since 2008, she has been President of the Board of Trustees for the Nobel Laureate Meetings in Lindau, an honorary position in which she succeeds her parents. As patron of the Europa-Miniköche, she has been committed to healthy and conscious eating for children for many years. In 2013, she initiated the Europa-Minigärtner project. She is also Chairwoman of the Board of Mentor Stiftung Deutschland and a member of the Board of Trustees of Plan International.
Bettina Countess Bernadotte is married to Philipp Haug and has three children. Philipp Haug was born in Lindau in 1972 and grew up on his parents' vineyard. The qualified agricultural engineer is responsible for the experimental vineyard on the island of Mainau and supports Mainau GmbH in all aspects of ecological development. Philipp Haug is an honorary member of the board of the European Cultural Forum Mainau e.V. and the European Mini Gardeners.
Catherina Ruffing Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg and Romuald Ruffing
Garden design is her passion: Catherina Ruffing Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg, born in 1977, studied landscape architecture at the Weihenstephan University of Applied Sciences. She has been self-employed since May 2006 and offers analysis, planning and implementation in the design of gardens. She is also the editor of the interactive online encyclopedia hortipedia.com. Catherina Ruffing Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg has been married to Romuald Ruffing since July 2007.
Christian Count Bernadotte af Wisborg
He is fascinated by film and photography: Christian Graf Bernadotte af Wisborg, born in 1979, studied philosophy and sociology at the University of Konstanz. In 2001, he published the poetry collection "Alles was bleibt ist Staub und Licht" (All that remains is dust and light) and in 2010 the poetry collection "Von Lichtern und Schatten" (Of lights and shadows). Christian Graf Bernadotte is a co-partner of Neue Artfilm GmbH. It is the successor company to his father Lennart Graf Bernadotte's former Artfilm and produces documentary films, primarily in the areas of music, history and society. Christian Count Bernadotte is involved on a voluntary basis as President of the European Cultural Forum Mainau e.V.
Diana Countess Bernadotte af Wisborg
Even as a little girl, Diana Countess Bernadotte, born in 1982, was fascinated by headgear - especially the most unusual ones. In 2006, the trained milliner turned her passion into a profession and has been successfully running her own hat studio in Mainau Castle ever since. Each ladies' hat model is unique, handmade according to her own ideas and designs, but all hats have one thing in common: a rhinestone as a trademark. Diana Countess Bernadotte is the youngest of five siblings and has two children.