Marstall

In 1510, the Marstall in Heidelberg wasn’t a place for horses. It was a fortress against the looming threat of war. Kurfürst Ludwig V. commissioned this imposing structure, originally called the Zeughaus, as an armory and gun foundry. The Marstall, with its 135-meter-long facade of Neckartäler sandstone, stands as a testament to this era. Imagine the clang of metal on metal, the sparks flying as cannons were forged within these walls. The location, directly on the Neckar River, was strategic. It allowed for easy transport of weapons and supplies. It also provided a defensive advantage during the Landshuter Erbfolgekrieg siege of 1504. The Marstall’s thick sandstone walls, watchtowers with embrasures, and fortified courtyard speak to its defensive purpose. Even some of the stone used in its construction came from Heidelberg Castle’s Upper Burg, destroyed by lightning in 1537. Now, picture the year 1590. Pfalzgraf Johann Kasimir adds a Renaissance building along the south side of the courtyard. This elegant structure, sadly destroyed in 1693 during the Pfälzischer Erbfolgekrieg, gave the complex its current name, Marstall. Merian’s engravings offer us a glimpse into this lost elegance. They reveal a building with stables for over a hundred horses, a grand central entrance, and a roof adorned with five pointed gables. Today, the Marstall houses the award-winning Zeughaus Mensa and the Studentenwerk administration. The original architecture remains remarkably intact, a powerful echo of its past life. As you stand here, consider the Marstall’s journey. From armory to stable, from Renaissance elegance to student hub, it has witnessed centuries of Heidelberg’s history unfold.