Bernhard II, Margrave of Baden-Baden

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Bernhard II of Baden-Baden (born 1428 or 1429 at Hohenbaden Castle, Baden-Baden; died 15 July 1458 in Moncalieri near Turin) was the second son of Jacob, Margrave of Baden-Baden, and Catherine of Lorraine. He grew up in a deeply religious family and was carefully educated to prepare him to rule parts of Baden. He was related to the Habsburgs through his older brother Karl I, which helped him reach the imperial court. He also helped his uncle René of Anjou in a conflict in northern Italy and reportedly fought bravely.

After his father’s death in 1453, he gave up his claim to some lands and became Frederick III’s personal envoy. He was known for his charity and piety, spending much of his income helping the poor. In the years after 1453, as the Ottoman threat grew, he traveled to European courts to promote a crusade.

Bernhard II died of the plague on 15 July 1458 while visiting Moncalieri near Turin. He is buried in St. Mary’s Church in Moncalieri. He was beatified by the Catholic Church on 16 September 1769 by Pope Clement XIV. The Bernhardus fountain in Rastatt was built to honor his beatification. Baden-Baden chose him as its patron saint, and Freiburg’s archdiocese also venerates him; his feast day is 15 July. His grave in Moncalieri became a popular pilgrimage site, with reports of miracles.

The cause for his sainthood continues, and in 2017 Pope Francis allowed the process to recognize his heroic virtue. His great-niece Sibylle of Baden had a high altar built in the St. Nicholas church in Babenhausen showing Bernhard on the interior left wing.