Hochburg (Emmendingen)

Architecture, patrimoine et histoire · Landkreis Emmendingen

Overlooking the foothills of the Black Forest between Emmendingen and Sexau, the Hochburg, also called Hachberg Castle, is the third largest castle complex in Baden after Heidelberg and Rötteln. Probably founded in the 11th century and first mentioned in 1127, it passed to the Zähringen and then to the Margraves of Baden, and around 1212 became the seat of the Baden-Hachberg line. From 1553 Charles II turned it into a Renaissance palace and fortress, which George Frederick strengthened with seven bastions. Razed after the siege of 1634-1636 and rebuilt from 1660, it was dismantled in 1681, ravaged by fire in 1684 and then blown up by French troops in February 1689. Owned by the state and managed by the Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten, the ruin has been maintained since 1971 by a volunteer association that set up a small museum in the cellars of the upper castle.