Hambach Castle is one of the most important
landmarks of the early evolution of democracy in Germany today. The castle has
the European Heritage Label and offers a diverse cultural and political program
as a conference and event venue, but the story that lies behind it is
relatively unknown…
Middle Ages
Kästenburg Castle flourished in the 13th and 14th centuries. It was rebuilt several times and was a favored location for medieval nobility. By the middle of the 15th century, Kästenburg's significance had faded. It was pillaged and damaged in various military conflicts including the German Peasants' War (1524–25) and the Second Margrave War (1552–55).
View of the keep in the courtyard of the Hambach Castle. The keep probably dates from the second half of the twelfth century and was originally about 26 meters high.
Modern Period
After the Congress of Vienna (1815), the ruins fell to the Kingdom of Bavaria. The kingdom auctioned off Kästenburg Castle to a group of wealthy citizens for 625 guilder. The Kästenburg name was dropped.
Hambach Castle (1840) by Theodor VerhasOriginal Source: Stadtarchiv Neustadt a.d.W.
Decline…
In 1842 a group from the Palatinate region bought the castle, together with the surrounding land, as a wedding present for the Crown Prince of Bavaria, the future King Maximilian II. The castle was renamed "Maxburg" in his honor.
In 1845 the Crown Prince commissioned the reconstruction of the ruins. However, due to a lack of funds, the redevelopment plans by architect August von Voit were never completed.
Hambach Castle (1936)Hambach Castle
125th anniversary celebration of the Hambach Festival in 1957 (1957)Original Source: Stadtarchiv Neustadt a.d.W.
…And New Beginnings
Using money from the Wittelsbach compensation fund, the former district of Neustadt (now the district of Bad Dürkheim) bought the ruins in the early 1950s and started the initial construction work.
Hambach Castle (1974)Hambach Castle
Siebenpfeiffer RoomHambach Castle
To mark the 150th anniversary of the Hambach Festival, the entire site was completely renovated in 1982 based on designs by Helmut Augeneder and Horst Römer.
In the banquet hall, a ceiling was installed over the second row of windows to create an upper floor. The first ever museum exhibition on the evolution of democracy and the events surrounding the 1832 Hambach Festival was established here.
The north side of the palace was extended. To the south, the framework for a cantilevered restaurant was erected along the outer ring wall. The outer ring wall was restored from 1998–2000.
Old stairwayHambach Castle
Hambach Castle as a Modern Landmark in the 21st
Century
The Hambach Castle Foundation was founded in 2002.The foundation's sponsors include the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, the Palatinate district association, the city of Neustadt an der Weinstraße, and the district of Bad Dürkheim. It is institutionally funded by the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media and is a foundation under public law.The foundation aims to maintain and develop Hambach Castle as an important historic site for the growth of democracy in Germany and European cooperation.
Construction work (2010)Hambach Castle
In 2006, for the upcoming 175th anniversary of the festival, further renovations began on Hambach Castle. In keeping with its significance as the cradle of democracy, the building was to be modernized and expanded into a European educational institution. The grounds were therefore made accessible and equipped for people with special needs.
Panoramic terrace (2011)Hambach Castle
The renovation plans were put together by Swiss architect Max Dudler. They placed special emphasis on making sure the historic components remained distinct. Modern elements complement the old building structures without stealing the show, resulting in a successful mix of old and new.
Courtyard of Hambach Castle (2015)Hambach Castle
Permanent exhibition (2008)Hambach Castle
The new permanent exhibition was opened at Hambach Castle in 2007. It was designed by the Institute of Historical Geography at the University of Mainz and installed by the design studio schwarz-düser • düser.
Restaurant 1832 (2010)Hambach Castle
As a continuation of the old ring wall, a new restaurant building was built in 2011 which complemented the memorial complex in an abstract and timeless way: Restaurant 1832. The multi-tiered stone construction, adapted to the landscape and the architecture, creates a calming effect when viewing the castle from a distance. This view has been impaired by the 3-column entrance framework since 1982.
Hambach Castle (1994)Hambach Castle
For comparison: the old building framework from 1982
Die Bauarbeiten am Restaurant 1832Hambach Castle
Prizes awarded (2013)Hambach Castle
For his plans to redevelop and expand Hambach Castle, Max Dudler won the DAM Prize for Architecture in Germany, an award from the German Architecture Museum for outstanding modern architecture.
Roof terrace (2011)Hambach Castle
A spacious terrace with spectacular views was built on the roof of the new building. If visitors direct their gaze to the southern flank of the former Kästenburg Castle, they can easily see the places where the Hohenstaufen castle keep and the upper mantle wall meet.
Hambach Castle, the site of the Hambach Festival, is a symbol of the struggle for civil liberties, as well as equality, tolerance, and democracy.
Due to its importance in the history and culture of Europe, Hambach Castle was awarded the European Heritage Label by the European Commission on April 15, 2015.
Special thanks go to all companies, institutions and people who have provided pictures or material.
We have made every effort to obtain the permission to print all illustrations. Should further claims exist, please contact us.
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Exhibition Curator: Sarah Traub, Institut für Geschichtliche Landeskunde an der Universität Mainz e.V. (IGL)
