Remember the year 805. That’s the first hint of settlement in what we know today as Kirchhofen. We are standing in a place that whispers tales of medieval importance. Kirchhofen’s story is etched in stone and timber.
Kirchhofen’s name first appeared in a document from 1087. Imagine this village as a central hub. It was a place of pilgrimage. It was the seat of the feudal lords. Kirchhofen held sway over many surrounding villages.
Until 1843, Ehrenstetten, Ober and Unterambringen belonged to the Vogtei Kirchhofen. They were connected. Now, let’s delve into Kirchhofen’s symbol.
The Kirchhofen coat of arms displays a green Dreiberg on the left. Two red roses sit atop it. These symbolize the Batzenberg, Kirchberg, and Ölberg. A golden deer stands on the right in blue. This addition from 1907 signifies the link to St. Blasien.
Picture the relatively large Kirchhofen Gemarkung. It stretches far beyond its neighboring villages. To the north, it reaches into the Schneckental. It almost reaches Pfaffenweiler. To the west, it extends to the B3. It nearly touches Offnadingen. In the south, it reaches the Bad Krozingen bypass road. Therefore, it marks the edge of Bad Krozingen’s buildings.
Two large exclaves of the Kirchhofen Bann lie in the Black Forest. These are in Ehrenkirchen’s eastern Gemarkung. On the Hohfirst, the Kirchhofen Bann stretches to the Hohebannstein. It is not the Ehrenstetten Bann.
Consider the Thirty Years’ War. In June 1633, badisch-Swedish troops massacred many Kirchhofen men. The Rheingraf Otto Ludwig commanded these troops. About 300 farmers from Kirchhofen, Ehrenstetten, and Pfaffenweiler were killed. They were falsely accused of being rebels.
Schloss Kirchhofen saw the death of Lazarus von Schwendi in 1583. He was a general and imperial advisor. Today, the castle houses classrooms and apartments. These apartments provide housing for asylum seekers. A small museum commemorates Schwendi. The Schlossverein runs it.
Think about Kirchhofen’s parish. The Pfarrkirche Mariae Himmelfahrt once belonged to the Basel Dinghof. It had branch churches in Staufen, Ambringen, Ehrenstetten, and Offnadingen. Norsingen was added later. Basel retained it in 1270. In 1393, it was incorporated into the local cathedral chapter. This late Gothic church is a pilgrimage site. It was built in 1409. It was extended in 1506. Then it was destroyed in 1633. It was rebuilt. In 1740, it received a Baroque makeover. Several notable artists contributed. It was last renovated from 1959 to 1961.
Kirchhofen remains a vibrant part of Ehrenkirchen. Its history continues to shape its identity. Its stories echo through the centuries. As we conclude our visit to Kirchhofen, carry with you the echoes of its past. Remember its importance as a religious and administrative center. Think about the lives that shaped this village. Consider the fields and forests that surround it.