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Hambach Castle is located on the Schlossberg (Castle Mountain) at an elevation of 325 m in the Pfälzer Wald (Palatinate Forest). As the name indicates it is a part of Hambach, a suburb of Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. The area of the castle had been settled since Roman time and the castle itself was built in the 11th century.
Hambach Castle (Hambacher Schloss) is a symbol of German democracy as a result of the Hambach Party (Hambacher Fest) in 1832. Read on for more details about that famous party.
The Hambach party of 1832 was a revolution-like demonstration of the Palatinate people since the Palatinate belonged to the Kingdom of Bavaria in those days. In quite an uncool way the Bavarian administration had annulled many of the democratic rights that had previously been bestowed on the Palatinate people by the French revolutionaries (who governed the Palatinate from 1797 - 1815). Ever since that uprising, commonly referred to as Hambach Party (Hambacher Fest), the Hambach Castle has been considered an important symbol of democracy. No party is complete without beverages and since Neustadt is located on the Wine Route, I'd assume they drank fine local wine and perhaps some beer as well.
Before the 150th anniversary of the Hambach Party in 1982 the castle was completely renovated. It is now frequently visited by all sorts of politicans from various countries to hold more or less interesting (usually less revolutionary) speeches, for business conferences, by school classes for practical history lessons, and by boatloads of people interested in history, revolutions and democracy. On several occasions we have tried to make our way up to that castle but haven't been quite successful yet with our attempts. Either the parking lot was completely full or admission was not permitted due to an important, organized event. I guess it's time to start another Hambach Party with the motto: "Fewer cars, fewer politicians, and more revolution!" Viva la revolución!! ;-)
Good luck if you want to visit Hambach Castle! If you end up in the same situation we did, you'll at least be able to enjoy the beautiful view and the lovely scenery of the Palatinate Forest. And this is not all that bad, is it? After all, we enjoyed hiking in the Palatinate Forest and just admiring the castle from as close-up as possible.
Updated Jan 10, 2012
Address: Neustadt an der Weinstrasse
Website: http://www.hambacher-schloss.de/index.php/component/content/article/37/356-welcome
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The beautiful complex of half-timbered houses hosts two institutions that can do with such a romantic location: the House of Wine where the local wineries present their products, do tastings etc., and the civil registration office. (The restaurant in the courtyard has arrangements for wedding receptions so you can have the whole celebration in one place.)
Don't miss the courtyard. Just walk in through the gate. Even if there is no wedding and even if the winery is closed,. the renaissance architecture is worth seeing. In fact, the architecture is best enjoyed when both are closed and the courtyard is empty...
Written Feb 7, 2011
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The “Stork Tower” does not have a stork’s nest, so it is not obvious how it received this name. It is the last preserved tower of Neustadt’s fortifications. It is visible best from the playground in Marstall, just round the corner from the Elwetritschen fountain.
Footnote for families with small kids: playground!
Written Feb 7, 2011
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The “Black Lion” has a long tradition. It dates back to at least 1600, if not further. The half-timbered house has the typical wide gate that leads into the courtyard. Don’t miss walking in – the courtyard is an architectural gem. If you are into fine dining, the restaurant in the courtyard may be just the right thing for you.
The back house of the Black Lion is the seat and headquarter of the Weinbruderschaft der Pfalz (Wine Brotherhood of Palatine), an association of people (only men, as far as I know) who are involved with wine in whatever way. In other words, a rather elitist club respective order.
Written Feb 7, 2011
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Neustadt has many sculptures but this is one that I particularly liked. On a stone block that serves for whatever technical purposes, a bronze man is sitting, legs dangling, and reading his newspaper. His hat and bag are carefully placed next to him on his bench. This sculpture was, like the hammer thrower in the town hall, created by F. W. Müller-Steinfurth.
Location: Juliusplatz, in the corner towards market square.
Written Feb 7, 2011
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There were times when Neustadt was the seat of a university. Palatine was the first territory in Germany that introduced the second, the Calvinist reformation. Since the state university in Heidelberg was still Lutheran, Elector Johann Casimir founded a Calvinist university of theology here in 1578. The university building has been named Casimirianum after the founder. As headquarters of a university, it is not very big. The prettiest side is the front towards Ludwigstraße with the stair tower. (Be careful, this is a busy main street.) The back side faces Juliusplatz and the neogothic Church of St Mary, the catholic parish church with its park-like churchyard.
Written Feb 7, 2011
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Have a closer look at the wall of the church, especially the part facing the market square, west of the entrance door. There are lots of inscriptions and incised drawings on the sandstone. Some must be qualified as graffiti while others actually served for a legal purpose. Note the carefully designed Brezel (pretzel) shapes. These are the measures the bakers had to observe. (At least, that’s what the leaflet I got from the tourist information says. I am a bit doubtful because there are so many pretzels in all different sizes.)
Updated Feb 7, 2011
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The main church of the town, built more than 500 years ago, is undergoing a thorough renovation at the moment (February 2011). The church will remain closed for a while, no idea how long. The interior is totally empty and a construction site (see photo 2 ), and the choir is behind scaffolding right now. No chance to visit the church.
The southern steeple has no spire but a little baroque house on top. Until 1970 this was the home and workplace of the last tower watchman in Germany. In theory the steeple can be climbed to enjoy the view – check if it is open, maybe it is not because of the renovation works.
Updated Feb 7, 2011
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The lion sculpture in front of the town hall is another work by Gernot and Barbara Rumpf, the creators of the Elwetritsche fountain. The Lion is the crest of Neustadt, and of Palatine, too. The lion’s attention is slightly distracted by two little mice that play between his front paws. Being the lion of a wine town, the tip of his tail is shaped like a grape. A vineyard snail has confused the tail with a vine and settled on it for a rest.
Written Feb 7, 2011
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Market square is the heart of the town. Every Tuesday and Saturday, in summer also on Thursday, a farmers market takes place here. This square is really ‘square’, or almost. The northern side is occupied by the mighty Stiftskirche, the main church of the town. The baroque complex in the west is the town hall, originally built as Jesuit college in 1729. Neustadt’s heraldic animal, the bronze lion by Gernot and Barbara Rumpf, is keeping watch – he deserves a separate tip. Walk in through the gate, the courtyard is worth a look. The sculpture in the middle of the courtyard is the “Hammer Thrower” by F. W. Müller-Steinfurth.
The southern and eastern front include a number of historical buildings. The so-called Scheffelhaus in the corner next to the church is a half-timbered house in renaissance style, built in the late 16th century. It hosts MUNDUSvini, the World of Wine, a wine pub and restaurant. The baroque house in the southeastern corner served as Vizedomei, seat of the Viztum, the “vice” of the Elector and representant of the government. Schwarzer Löwe, the “Black Lion”, is a well-known pub and restaurant; this building also deserves a separate tip.
Watch out for the bronze Elwetritsche on the stairs of the fountain in the middle...
Written Feb 7, 2011
Visiting the Castle of Freedom
During my private stay in Altenkirchen, Westerwald, in December 1999, my host family took me to this wonderful town where they had some business to do. So I could visit Hambach Castle. I had enough......
Neustadt an der Weinstrasse is a charming, mid-size town full of picturesque half-timbered houses, especially around the historic market-place. With its population of about 54,000 it is the largest......
Right on the German wine road (Weinstraße) you'll find the little town of Neustadt. Here you'll find a charming old town with a lot of old houses, a 16th century town hall and a beautiful market...
I will have the possibility to write pages about that city where I used to live many years of my childhood and where I stay now some weeks each years!!
Build your own Neustadt an der Weinstraße page
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