Hochburg Castle was founded in the 11th century, probably by Dietrich von Hachberg. After Heidelberg Palace, it is the region’s second largest castle complex.
The walls of Hochburg Castle tower over the surrounding vineyards.
On the edge of the Upper Rhine Valley near Emmendingen, surrounded by vineyards, Hochburg Castle enjoys an ideal strategic position on an exposed hilltop. From here, there are sweeping views, from the picturesque valleys to the highest peaks of the Black Forest.
But the superb panorama is not Hochburg’s only attraction – it also offers unparalleled insights into the history of castle and fortress construction. All the typical developments of defensive structures from the 12th to the 17th century are evident here – making it possible to trace the evolution of military architecture over half a millennium.
The sheer size of the castle can only be fully appreciated in winter, when the trees are barew.
From the 13th century, it was the property of the margraves of Baden, through their blood ties to the Hachberger family. After 1553, under the auspices of Karl II, the castle was significantly extended and altered: the Medieval castle became a Renaissancestyle palace and fortress. The castle entered a golden age in the 17th century. In view of military threats, Margrave Georg Friedrich von Baden ordered that seven star-shaped bastions be added to the fortress. In the numerous wars that followed, Hochburg Castle was repeatedly conquered and damaged. But even today, the impressive scale of the complex and the remaining buildings amply illustrate the castle’s former significance.
