The buildings of New Castle Baden-Baden

Main Building

In 1535 the "Catholic Line" of the Baden margravate resided in the "new castle" of Baden Baden.  It was Margrave Philipp II and his guardian Duke Albrecht V of Bavaria ruling from Munich, who developed the current design of the New Castle in the second half of the 16th century.  Built over the walls of a Gothic castle which had been destroyed in a war, the architect Caspar Weinhart of Munich created a wonderful example of German Renaissance architecture.  Today, the remaining remnants of the previous Gothic building consist of the old Court rooms, pump rooms, an ancient spa, catacombs and secret passages.  In addition, there is an outlet for the original source of the spa water from the underground stream within the foundations of the Castle. 

The main building was designed symmetrically, the plain external façade being highlighted by a triumphal arch grand entrance door.   The building has a large roof with a distinctive range of roof buttresses that includes a charming copper roofed turret and whimsical dragons that leap out from the building. 

The Main building is well known for its interior décor.  It was symmetrically designed with a central main entrance lobby that faces a dual stairway with one stair leading down to the gardens and the other up to the 1st floor where the Ceremonial rooms are located.  The building is bisected on each floor lengthwise by long, beautifully gabled corbel arched hallways which served as a winter promenade area. 

On each side of the lobby are entrances to grand rooms that are joined to each other.  The Ground floor contains the "Four Seasons" room, beautifully painted by, a master in the art form of in which a 2 dimensional painting seems like a 3 dimensional engraving.  There is also a wonderful dining room with elaborate gabled arches decorated in a delicate floral design.  The Dining room connects with the Renaissance building and to the "Lantern Room" which are both of 16th century design and construction.

The Castle's tower with copper turret and flag, the clinging vines which change colors with the seasons, and its whimsical Dragons that once served to divert rain water from the roof, give it a unique and charismatic appearance.

Renaissance Kitchen Building

Between 1573 and 1575, the Renaissance kitchen building was added to the north-westside of the main building.  A spectacular example of renaissance architecture, this 3 storey building is identified by its elegant double storied columned loggia, original 16th century wrought iron and carved sandstone window and door frames that feature ancient cooking utensils, fruits and vegetables.  Inside are examples of vaulted ceilings, cellars, a grinding mill and a water fountain with a comical face and water spout mouth.

Foyer Ceremonial Rooms

Royal Room (Fürstensaal)
Located on the first floor, the red silk walls of the Royal Room are lined with portraits of the Baden princes and allegorical paintings created by the artist Tobias Stimmer of Straßbourg between 1577 and 1584.   This room with its red and gold is truly rich and royal.

Gentlemen’s Building

Standing in the center of the courtyard, perpendicular to the Main Castle is the Gentlemen's Building.  Also destroyed in the 1689 fire, the formerly three-story building was rebuilt as a single-story building.  In 2003, when the New Castle was purchased by the Al-Hassawi Group, restoration work began on the Gentlemen's building which was under threat of physical decay. 

Today, this lovely building is used for the castle administration and business meetings related to the castle's development.

Orangerie

Overlooking the city of Baden Baden, the Orangery with its terrace garden is a light and airy building that once served as a green house for exotic plants and trees that were collected around the world and brought to the Castle as novelties (9).  The Orangery was built during the rule of Margrave Ferdinand Maximilian (1625-1669).

Records Tower

The Records Tower is a square tower located next to the Renaissance Kitchen and behind the Gentlemen's building.  This building dates from the later half of the 15th century and was most probably used to house the records of the regional courthouse and jail located in the main castle building. 

Royal Stables

The royal stables, created in the middle of the 16th century are connected to the Gate Lodge.   With access from the Schlossstrass, the horses were kept in the lowest level of the building where water troughs and cobbled stone floors can still be seen.  A large set of tall wooden doors show where the horses were let in and out of the stables to the courtyard.  The upper two floors were used as housing for grooms and equestrians.

Gate Lodge

Built at the end of the 15th century, the Gate Lodge controlled access to the Castle grounds.  The Gate Lodge is located at the end of the curving Schlossstrass road.  As you approach the Castle, the stone Gate House is built above and around two large wooden doors that open into the internal courtyard.  Upon entering the courtyard, the Main Castle building can be viewed directly ahead, the Gentlemen's building is to the left and the Orangery to the right.