With the Ständehaus, Karlsruhe gained in 1822 the first building in Germany specifically designed and constructed as a parliamentary building. It was a visible symbol of political change in the Grand Duchy of Baden and represented the early development of parliamentary participation. The Baden Assembly of the Estates met here until 1918; subsequently, from 1919 to 1933, the building served as the seat of the State Parliament of the Republic of Baden. Thus, for more than a century, the Ständehaus was a central site in the history of Baden’s constitution and democracy.
The building was designed by Friedrich Weinbrenner and Friedrich Arnold. The Neoclassical structure blended seamlessly into Karlsruhe’s cityscape, which had been shaped by Weinbrenner, and underscored the prestigious character of the young royal and administrative city. Inside, the Ständehaus was characterized above all by the large chamber of the Second Chamber, that is, the representative body. A wraparound balcony allowed interested citizens to follow the debates—a remarkable sign of political openness at a time when parliamentary participation was by no means a given.
During World War II, the historic Ständehaus was severely damaged and was not later rebuilt true to the original. Today, the Neue Ständehaus stands in its place, housing the Karlsruhe City Library. At the same time, the site continues to serve as a reminder of its political past: the “Ständehaus Memorial” extends from the ground floor down to the second basement level, surrounding the stairwell . The exhibition is dedicated to the history of the Baden parliament and democracy and brings the significance of the historic building to life. Among the special exhibits are a model of the old Ständehaus, which offers a glimpse into the chamber of the Second Chamber, as well as the contents of the cornerstone from 1820 —including a bottle of wine.
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Bus stop: Herrenstraße
