Hochburg

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The Hochburg, meaning “high castle,” is a ruined castle between Emmendingen and Sexau in Baden-Württemberg, southwestern Germany. Likely built in the 11th century, it was originally called Hachberg. The nobles who ruled Baden-Hachberg probably took their name from this castle, which was Baden’s second-largest fortress before it was destroyed by the French.

The origin of the name Hachberg is unclear. One idea links it to a man named Hacho from Charlemagne’s retinue. An old plaque and a 1161 document refer to Castro Hahberc.

The castle was probably founded by Dietrich von Emmendingen (later von Hachberg) to harvest nearby forests. The first written mention is in 1127. In the 12th century Erkenbold von Hachberg handed some lands to the Zähringers to fund crusades (1147–1149). A 1161 record mentions Hermann IV von Baden as the lord.

In 1212, after the Baden margraviate split, Hochberg became the center of Baden-Hachberg and stayed the home of that line for about 200 years. In 1415 Bernhard I from the main Baden line bought it. The castle survived sieges in 1424 and 1525.

Karl II strengthened its defenses in 1553, modernizing it. Georg Friedrich added seven bastions, naming some after related Baden castles (Rötteln, Sausenberg, Badenweiler).

The castle endured a two-year siege in the Thirty Years’ War (1634) and surrendered. It was partly rebuilt in 1660. In 1681 the French destroyed much of its defenses after the Nijmegen Peace; three years later a fire damaged the living quarters. In 1688 the remaining fortifications were finally ruined by the French.

Preservation began in the late 19th century. Since 1971 a voluntary society has cared for the ruin, and in 2007 they bought the tenancy. The Hochburg is free to visit and is part of Baden-Württemberg’s castle preservation program; a small cellar museum opened in 1991. The ruin has appeared in paintings and is the subject of legends about hidden treasure and restless knights.