HISTORY
Archaeological finds prove that the area of Hambach Castle was used in late Roman times. Probably in the first half of the 11th century, a new castle named Kästenburg (translated in the Palatinate dialect as the "chestnut castle") was built inside the former estate. It got its name because of the surrounding magnificent sweet chestnut forests. There is little known about its early history. The only thing certain is that between 1090 and 1104 bishop Johann I of Speyer signed over the estate together with Castle Meistersel to the Bishopric of Speyer, which stayed the owner to the end of the 18th century.
The big estate was said to be one of the most important facilities of the Bishopric of Speyer in the late Middle Ages. This is indicated by the many residencies of the bishops since 1180.
During the 13th century, larger building projects took place. Nikolaus I was consecrated as Bishop of Speyer in the castle chapel on 1388. More construction was done at the end of the 14th century and in the second half of the 15th century by the bishops Nikolaus I and Matthias I. The castle was the home for the Episcopalian document archive at the end of the 14th century.
The former fortress was undamaged during the Thirty Year's War, but during War of the Palatinian Succession 1688 the abandoned castle was destroyed by French soldiers. It was once more provisionally restored from 1701 to 1703.
In 1797 the castle was declared to be French government property. In 1816 after the Congress of Vienna the ruin became the property of the Kingdom of Bavaria together with the complete "linksrheinische Pfalz" (literally translated: left-Rhine Palatinate). A short time later citizens of Neustadt gave the worthless estate to the Bavarian King Maximilian II as a "wedding present". Because of this, the castle is also called "Maxburg" in colloquial language. In 1844 Bavaria began to rebuild the castle in neo-gothic style, August von Voit had provided the plans.
Built in the Middle Ages, Hambach Castle gained outstanding importance in the nineteenth century. Following a period of political repression, around 30,000 people from Germany, France and Poland came together at the castle on 27 May 1832 to celebrate the Hambach Festival (Hambacher Fest). The attendants spoke out for fundamental rights and political freedoms and for equality, tolerance and democracy in Germany and Europe, making the castle a symbol of the struggle for civil liberties in Europe.
From 1797 to 1815, the Palatinate belonged to France and stepped in line with the values of the French Revolution (liberty, equality and fraternity). The July Revolution in Paris in 1830 fuelled the desire for freedom in the Palatinate, with leading liberals and 30,000 citizens gathering at the castle for the Hamburg Festival. They demanded freedom of the press, assembly and speech as well as more civil rights, religious tolerance and national unity. It is on that basis that the Hambach Festival is now considered to be the cradle of German democracy.
It was also the first time that the black, red and gold tricolour flag was used as a symbol of future German unity. The 'Up, up, up to the castle!' exhibition looks more closely at the events around 1832 with a focus on the Hambach Festival. Flags, a printing press and historical documents transport visitors back to that time. Hambach Castle was – and indeed still is – a symbol of freedom, and its walls and towers are holders of history spanning almost a millennium.
CURRENT SITUATION
Hambach Castle has been a symbol of German democracy since May 1832, when the flag bearing the German national colours of black, red and gold was first flown on Kastanienberg near Neustadt. "Rise, German men and boys of all ranks, shine with the holy glimmer of the fatherland and freedom, gather together!" About 30,000 people followed this call. Guided by trumpet calls and music, they marched up the festooned mountain path to Hambach Castle. They raised the colours black, red and gold on the highest battlements of the castle. They expressed their demands in numerous speeches, greetings, songs and toasts. In countless conversations and discussions, there was a lively, even heated exchange of ideas and opinions. In many ways, this political event resembled a fair filled with stalls, music and carousels.
The exhibition "Hinauf, hinauf zum Schloss!" (Up, up to the castle!) focuses on the events related to the year 1832, with the main focus being on Hambach Festival. A variety of interactive stations, where, for example, you can make cockades or slip into contemporary costumes, will provide plenty of fun to all ages and bring history to life. The exhibition is divided into several sections:
• Europe in turmoil. The road to Hambach Festival
• Black, red and gold - symbols of freedom and unity
• Freedom of speech and censorship. The fight for freedom of the press and freedom of speech
• Parliament and Constitution. From Hambach to Frankfurt
• Freedom and international peace. The long road to democracy and Europe.
An audio guide to the permanent exhibition is available in four languages (German, French, English and Polish).
