| Rötteln Castle (Burg Rötteln) | |
|---|---|
| Lörrach, Baden-Württemberg, Germany | |
 Aerial view at Rötteln Castle | |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Federal State of Baden-Württemberg |
| Open to the public | yes (March–October) |
| Condition | Ruins survive |
| Site history | |
| Built | c. 11th Century |
| Built by | Lords of Rötteln |
| In use | 1000's–1678 |
| Materials | Stone (11th century architecture) |
| Demolished | 29 June 1678 |
| Battles/wars | Thirty Years War Franco-Dutch War |
| Events | 1356 Basel earthquake |
Rötteln Castle (German: Burg Rötteln) are named the ruins of a spur castle above the eponymous hamlet Rötteln within the boundaries of Haagen, which is a quarter of the city of Lörrach. It is situated in the far southwest of Germany, in the valley of the river Wiese, close to the French and the Swiss borders.
the ruins of a Spur castle above the eponymous hamlet Rötteln within the boundaries of Lörracher hamlet Haagen in the far southwest of Baden-Württemberg . Known as Röttler Castle popularly castle with two large towers was one of the most powerful in the southwest and is the third largest castle ruin bathing . [1] It is since the 19th century against further decay conserved . Characteristic is turned towards the longitudinal axis of the castle erected Bergfried .
History
editThe era of the lords of Rötteln 1102–1316
editThe castle has probably existed since the beginning of the 11th century. In the year 1102 is the first documented mention of a lord of Rötteln, one Dietrich von Rötteln, the bailiff of St. Albans near Basel. This year is also considered the date of the founding of the city of Lörrach. In 1204 Dietrich III of Rötteln died, having amassed a large holding in the Wiese valley. His sons held high offices; Walter I was the Kapitular (a priest who is authorized to say the mass in a cathedral and perform other duties of a bishop) of Konstanz and Basel, Luithold I was the bishop of Basel, Konrad I was the founder of the city of Schopfheim, which was important to the later formation of the Markgräflerland. The first documented mention of the castle itself is from the year 1259.
The era of the Margraves of Hachberg-Sausenberg 1316–1503
editLuithold II von Rötteln, the last male of his line, gave the lordship of Rötteln to the Margrave Rudolf I of Hachberg-Sausenberg and his heiress Agnes von Rötteln in the year 1311. As a result, the Margrave of Hachberg-Sausenberg, also became lord of the former domain of Rötteln. The Margrave then moved from Sausenburg Castle to Rötteln Castle to more easily administer his new domain and appointed a bailiff to oversee Sausenburg.
Luithold II von Rötteln died on May 19, 1316, and the passing of Rötteln to Hachberg-Sausenberg was an important step in the eventual formation of the Markgräflerland. In 1332 the castle was besieged by the people of Basel because the Margrave Rudolf II stabbed the mayor of Basel during an argument. The conflict was resolved at the last moment through an agreement to settle the argument. Arrowheads, crossbow bolts, and other finds near the castle attest to this siege.
The Basel earthquake of 1356 destroyed large portions of the city, and the castle suffered severe damage.
In 1444 the domain of Badenweiler passed from the last Count of Freiburg, John, to the son of Margrave Wilhelm, Rudolf IV von Hachberg-Sausenberg. The combination of the three dominions, Rötteln, Sausenburg, and Badenweiler formed the foundation of the Markgräflerland.
During the reign of Rudolf IV (1441-1487) the castle had its heyday. At the court of Duke Philip the Good of Burgundy he had risen to high dignity. In 1454 the Duke was his guest on Rötteln castle. The unique splendor of the Burgundy court inspired the Margrave. Around 1470 the palace was expanded and architecturally enhanced. In 1474 a visitor reported that tapisseries based on the Burgundian model were produced on the castle.[1]
The era of the Margraves of Baden 1503–1678
editIn 1503 Philip of Hachberg-Sausenberg died and based on an agreement on reciprocal inheritance Philips lands in the Breisgau - including Rötteln castle – came in the hands of the Margrave of Baden. During the German Peasants' War (1525) revolting peasants briefly took possession of the castle but don't damage this place.
During the Thirty Years War the castle was affected in the years 1633–1638. In May 1633 Imperial forces led by Ernesto Montecuccoli took possession of the castle, which belonged to the Protestant Frederick V of Baden-Durlach an allie of the Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden. Montecuccoli was supported by Herman Fortunatus a member of the catholic branch of the House of Baden. Two months later Swedish-Protestant army headed by Otto Louis of Salm-Kyrburg-Mörchingen reconquered Rötteln Castle. Following the Battle of Nördlingen (1634) the Swedish were forced to withdraw their garrison and were replaced later on by an Imperial garrison again.[2] Right after the Battle of Rheinfelden in March 1638 the French-allied mercenary army led by Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar conquered the castle[3] whereby causing severe damages.
The Franco-Dutch War (1672–1678) affected the Breisgau-region in the last phase when François de Créquy a Marshall of the French King Louis XIV conquered Freiburg im Breisgau at the end of 1677. Based on the fortifications of Freiburg and Breisach Créquy raided this region in the following year and tried to take over the fortified city of Rheinfelden. On the road to Rheinfelden a detachment of his army attacked Rötteln by using kartouwen and the Imperial garrison surrendered after a short time on June 29, 1678.[4] Afterwards the French troops burned down the castle as they have done it this year with many castles and villages in the region – in fact Créquy followed a scorched-earth policy.
The castle ruins were thereafter used as a source of building stone (quarry). Further damages were caused by natur.
Restoration and maintenance
editThe Black Forest Society of Baden(Schwarzwaldverein) began to survey the ruins in 1884 in order to preserve it. Since 1926 this has been the concern of the Röttelnbund e.V. club based in Lörrach-Haagen. Today the ruins have been restored to approximately their condition after their destruction in 1678.
- ^ Based on an official German explanation board on site prepared by the state heritage agency Staatliche Schlösser und Gärten.
- ^ s. Philipp Ruppert: Die Kriegsereignisse im Breisgau von 1632 bis 1635 und die erste Belagerung Breisachs. In: Zeitschrift der Gesellschaft für Beförderung der Geschichts-, Altertums- und Volkskunde von Freiburg, dem Breisgau und den angrenzenden Landschaften. 6. Band (1883–1887), S. 313 Internet archive
- ^ E. Leupold: Journal der Armee des Herzogs Bernhard von Sachsen-Weimar aus den Jahren 1637 und 1638. In: Basler Zeitschrift für Geschichte und Altertumskunde, Band 11 (1912), S. 311–312 e-periodica
- ^ Eygentliche Relation Alles Dess Jenigen, So Sich Zeit Rheinfeldischer Belägerung, Von Dem 28. Junij Biss Auff Den 19. Julij 1678. Von Tag Zu Tag Zugetragen ... Beneben Einem Ehren-Lied Über Obige Belägerung, Etc. David Hautten, 1678, S. 4. Google books.