Consider the year is 1760. Right here stood only the Hofgarten before the Reithof was built. The Reithof in Meersburg. It is more than just a building. It is a testament to Meersburg’s rich history.
Around 1760 the Reithof was constructed. Franz Anton Bagnato planned it. It was built on the Hofgarten’s grounds. The Reithof quickly became a multi-functional complex. It housed a riding hall. It also included a Zeughaus. The Zeughaus stored cannons and weapons. These belonged to the Prince-Bishop’s military. The city’s arms were kept here too.
Kutschenremisen or coach houses found their place here. Stables were also built for the horses. Hofratswohnungen or councilors’ residences completed the ensemble. The Reithof was a hub of activity and importance.
The year 1802 brought big changes. Secularization swept through Meersburg. The Reithof fell to Baden. Baden’s domain administration acted swiftly. They auctioned off the stables’ inventory. The Zeughaus’s contents were also sold until 1806.
An interesting fact: In 1803 the district office moved into the Reithof’s east wing. It stayed there until 1857. In 1837 a seminar practice school was established. Meersburg’s boys were taught here.
The 20th century brought further transformations. The Reithof underwent partial demolition and reconstruction. In 1907 the Meersburg wine domain moved in. Today, it is the State Winery.
During the 1960s the Reithof was fundamentally renovated. Today, the Droste-Hülshoff-Gymnasium uses part of the building. The State Winery still operates here. The Reithof stands as a reminder of Meersburg’s past. It is a blend of history, education, and viticulture.