Dreaming of a village embraced by art? That’s Grötzingen. This eastern district of Karlsruhe is more than just a place on the map. It is a canvas painted with history and creativity.
Grötzingen officially became part of Karlsruhe in 1974. It covers about 11.3 square kilometers. Around 9,156 people called Grötzingen home in 2020.
Now let’s step back in time. Imagine early settlements here. Historians believe they existed as far back as the 4th and 7th centuries. The first official mention of “Grezingen” appears in 985. It was named after an elder called Grezzo.
Grötzingen even played a role in Durlach’s story. Durlach was founded on Grötzingen land in the 12th century. A castle mentioned in the 13th century likely refers to the Turmberg castle. It served as a residence for the Grötzingen counts.
Take a look at Schloss Augustenburg. This castle got its start around 1564. It belonged to Margravine Auguste-Maria of Baden-Durlach.
Grötzingen itself is divided into four quarters. These are Altkircher, Ober, Unter, and Mittelviertel. The town hall stands in Mittelviertel. It was originally built in 1584 and got its current look in 1688.
The 16th and 17th centuries were hard on Grötzingen. The Plague, the Thirty Years’ War, and the Palatine War of Succession all left their mark. The village was badly damaged. Parts of it were even burned down.
However, Grötzingen experienced a cultural rebirth in 1889. Friedrich Kallmorgen and his wife Margarethe Hormuth-Kallmorgen bought a summer house here. This sparked the creation of the Grötzingen artists’ colony. Animal painter Otto Fikentscher soon purchased Augustenburg Castle. Fellow artists Gustav Kampmann, Franz Hein, and Karl Biese joined them. By 1920, this historic colony had dissolved. Yet, Grötzingen earned the title “Baden’s Painting Village.” It also gained membership in euroArt. This is a European association of historic artists’ colonies.
Grötzingen carries a weightier history. During the Nazi era, Jewish residents faced terrible persecution. The synagogue was vandalized in 1938. Later, it was demolished. In 1940, the last Jewish residents were deported to the Camp de Gurs in France.
Even war touched Grötzingen directly. In 1944, Allied bombers targeted Karlsruhe. A storm diverted some of the bombs. Grötzingen suffered damage. About 24% of the village was destroyed and three people died.
Today, Grötzingen remembers its past. Two plaques at the town hall honor the victims of Nazi persecution. A memorial at the Pfinz commemorates the deported Jewish residents. A monument stands in the Grötzingen cemetery.
The people of Grötzingen had a choice to make in 1973. They voted on whether to join the municipality of Pfinztal. Most voted yes. But the municipal council decided otherwise. In 1974, Grötzingen became part of Karlsruhe.
A thousand years of history are marked by a historical tour. It began in 1991. The tour uses 38 panels to tell Grötzingen’s story.
If you are into art you should definitely visit Grötzingen. Many artists have lived here. This includes Karl Biese, Franz Dewald and Sabine Classen.