Zähringen castle

The ruins of Zähringen castle is what remains of the ancestral seat of the Zähringer. It is one of several castles and towns that the Zähringens built in South Germany and Switzerland (including: Freiburg i. Breisgau, Villingen, Neuenburg, Fribourg i. Ü., Bern, Thun, Rheinfelden, Murten)

History
In the fourth century, during the migration period, the upper part of the northwestern spur of the  Roßkopf was flattened so that it was suited for a settlement. Alemannic chiefs dwelt there with their folk until it was abandoned at the end of the fifth century.

The name Zähringen was actually mentioned for the first time in records dating back to the time shortly after the turn of the first millennium. However, it is not clear without ambiguity whether they refer already to a fortification on the hilltop or to the village, the present day suburb of Freiburg.

The first definite mention of the castle was in 1128 in the “Rotulus Sanpetrinus”, a parchment roll issued in the nearby abbey of St, Peter. That document was written in Latin and contains the passage “apud castrum Zaringen” (castrum is the Latin word for castle).

The New Home
Berthold II moved out of this castle to Freiburg Castle on the Schlossberg of Freiburg. He had ordered the construction of that new castle, because he considered that location to be more advantageous both from commercial and strategical perspectives.

When the Zähringer had died out, Emperor Frederick II confiscated Zähringen castle as a fief in 1218.

Difficulties
Later, between 1275 and 1281, in the wake of controversies between the Empire and the counts of Urach regarding territorial possessions, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt.

In 1422 the Margrave of Baden acquired a part of the compound.

The castle was definitely destroyed during the German Peasants' War in 1525.

In 1815 the castle hill became the property of the house of Baden. Today the area belongs to the municipality of Gundelfingen.

What is still intact is a large round tower that was built in the 13th century. It has an observation deck that is surrounded by merlons.

On the castle hill there is also a restaurant. From its dining room you have a good view of the valley.

If you want to drive up there, you can get there by car only from Zähringen following the Pochgasse.