In 1822, the Ständehaus, Germany's first parliament building created for this purpose, was built in Karlsruhe. It housed the Baden Assembly of Estates until 1918 and the state parliament of the Republic of Baden from 1919 to 1933. The building was designed by Friedrich Weinbrenner and Friedrich Arnold. The interior was dominated by the meeting room of the Second Chamber, the parliament. It was surrounded by a balcony from which interested parties could follow the sessions.
The building was badly damaged during the Second World War and is now replaced by the New Ständehaus, which houses the municipal library. The "Ständehaus Memorial Site", an exhibition on the history of Baden's parliament and democracy, extends around the staircase from the first floor to the 2nd basement floor. Among other things, visitors can see a model of the Ständehaus, which allows a view into the meeting room of the Second Chamber, and the contents of the Ständehaus foundation stone from 1820, including a bottle of wine.
Bus stop: Herrenstraße
