Deutschordenshaus Castle

The Teutonic Order in Freiburg was first mentioned in a document in 1258, though the existence of a commandery at that time remained unclear. Count Konrad I of Freiburg donated a plot of land near the Mönchstor to the Order in 1263. Between 1272 and 1485, the Order acquired numerous church patronages in various villages of the Breisgau region. A conflict with the citizens of Freiburg in 1292 led to the destruction of the commandery and the expulsion of the Order, but the city was compelled to finance its reconstruction. Following the French conquest of Freiburg in 1677 and the city's transformation into a fortress by Vauban, the original commandery had to be demolished. The Order subsequently settled in the city center in 1684. In the 18th century, the commandery was considered wealthy and exerted political influence.