"A festival for freedom"
The permanent multi-media exhibition in the castle shows the history of liberalism − the freedom movements in Germany between the so-called "Hambach Festival" in May 1832 to the first German National Assembly in the Frankfurt Paulskirche in May 1848.
The "Hambach Festiva" is considered the birth of German democracy. While climbing up the stairs in the castle you can view illustrations of democracy movements of mankind on the walls. Approximately 30.000 people followed the appeal of the publicist Philipp Jakob Siebenpfeiffer (1789-1845) and Georg August Wirth (1798-1848) to celebrate a political public festival for unity and freedom of the Germans in the ruins of the Hambach Castle.
People of many nationalities, men and women, representatives of the Palatine parliament, citizens, students, athlets and winegrowers marched with their flags up to the castle: For the first time the colours black-red-gold were carried as a tricolor − later they became the German national colours. The exhibition concentrates, of course, on the "Hambach Festival", but it also illustrates the events before and after. One room is devoted to the Baden-Palatine revolution in 1848/1849: Names such as Gustav von Struve and Friedrich Hecker, attorney and revolutionary leftist, in 1842 member of the 2nd Baden chamber and leader of the radical left, escaped to the USA after their attempt at rebellion failed. Today, Hecker's birth house in Eichtersheim/Angelbachtal is the home of the artist Jürgen Goertz whom we have already mentioned in connection with the Eichtersheim Castle and its sculptors. You see − a small circle closes here.
The Castle
The origins of the castle might possibly date back to Roman times (probably a former temple of Mercury) − or even a place of worship of the Germanic god Wotan. The castle was built by the Salian emperors and was owned from 1100 onwards by the prince-bishops of Speyer. It was destroyed by the French in the peasant's war and in the Palatine war of succession. In 1842, the Palatine citizens gave the ruins to the Bavarian prince-royal Maximilian as a wedding gift (Maxburg).
In 1844, Maximilian began rebuilding the ruins into a castle − however, work was stopped in 1846. Within dense chestnut forests, it remained a popular destination for excursions.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the "Hambach Festival" in 1982, the Hambach Castle was rebuilt. Since then, the cradle of German democracy is used as a museum and place for international meetings and numerous cultural events.
From the tower you have a fantastic view over the Palatine mountains and the plain. High up on the castle there is the castle pub Rittersberg − an interesting place for gourmets.
From here attractive outings, gourmet tours, wine tastings, a Riethbahn excursion and much more can be organized. For hikers and other interested persons we have a hiking guide offering tours in various degrees of difficulty.
Suitable for all ages between 6−99
It will take around 1 ¼ hour to get there from Heidelberg (ca. 70 km)
Unfortunately the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users due to many stairs and steep pathes.
