Old Castle Emmendingen

The Margrave's Castle in Emmendingen is a charming Renaissance building on the edge of Emmendingen's old town.

The simple three-story building with a high gabled roof features a striking octagonal stair tower on the north side and lower outbuildings. Originally, it was built as a farmstead for the Tennenbach Monastery, which is still commemorated by the abbot's staff above the portal. After several changes of ownership, the building was acquired in 1588 by Margrave Jakob III of Baden-Hachberg and converted into a residential castle.

In 1590, the chapter house in an adjacent building was the scene of the "Emmendingen Religious Colloquy". After the death of Margrave Jakob III, the castle served as the official residence for the district governors of the Margraviate of Hachberg, later as a castle bailiwick. The footprint of the building where the religious colloquy took place is now marked by colored paving stones. Later, the synagogue, destroyed in 1938, stood there. The so-called Lenzhäuschen is the last remaining outbuilding of the residence.

In 1833, under Mayor Carl Helbing (1802-1874), the building became the property of the city. He had a hospital established there. Today, it houses the city's historical collection. The castle cellar with its vaulted ceiling on the ground floor is used as a small performance venue. In 2007, the castle underwent extensive renovation.