Atop Turmberg stands a tower. This isn’t just any tower. It’s a sentinel. It’s a silent witness to centuries of history. This is Turmberg in Durlach a suburb of Karlsruhe.
For centuries Turmberg has stood guard. It’s 256 meters high a peak of the Black Forest. The Turmberg got its name from an old tower. This tower dates back to the late Staufer period. Imagine the builders those skilled craftsmen. They worked tirelessly. They laid each stone with precision.
But this tower is not the first. Archaeologists uncovered foundations. These are the remains of a much older structure. This was the castrum Gretzingen. It was the castle of Grötzingen. The Pinzgau counts of the Hohenberger dynasty lived here. They ruled in the 11th and 12th centuries. Their power extended far and wide.
The original tower fell. It was demolished between 1230 and 1250. A slimmer tower replaced it. This became part of a larger defensive wall. The 28 meter high tower you see today reflects this era. Its ashlar masonry is characteristic of the Staufer period. It speaks of strength and defense.
The Margraves of Baden took control. They used the castle as an administrative center. But it was a vulnerable spot. It was attacked repeatedly in the 1270s. They decided to build a new lowland castle in nearby Durlach. This became their main residence. The Turmberg tower became a watchtower.
A 13 meter high pillar was added. It supported a platform. This platform held an alarm cannon. A warning system to alert the town below. The Turmberg’s role shifted. From a powerful stronghold it became a beacon of warning a silent protector.
Today you can reach the summit by funicular railway. This is the oldest still operating in Germany. You can also climb the 528 steps of the Hexenstauffele. The view from the top is breathtaking. It stretches across the Rhine Plain. It takes in the rooftops of Durlach and Karlsruhe. The journey to the top is as rewarding as the view itself. It is a journey through time. It is a journey through layers of history. And it’s all here on Turmberg.