Open monuments in
Gaggenau

Michelbach Shepherd's House

Program

Video Feature: The Shepherd's House—From Ruin to Historic Landmark

A documentary on the restoration of the shepherd's cottage, from its acquisition to its establishment as a social gathering place and cultural site.

Time: 11 :00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (open continuously); each session lasts 30 minutes.

Meeting place: Hirtenhaus - Piano Room

Led by: Thomas Will

Accessibility: not barrier-free

Refreshments: Coffee and cake, beverages from the Hirtenhaus menu at reasonable prices in the Meinrad-Stube

  • The Shepherd’s House is a 300-year-old historic building. Built around 1720 as simple quarters for the village shepherd, it was converted into the community’s poorhouse after the shepherding tradition came to an end. Left unused, it was eventually left to fall into disrepair around the middle of the 20th century. The fate of this historic building took a fortunate turn around 1990, thanks to private initiatives, the founding of a support association, volunteer efforts, and sponsorship. With a great deal of passion and attention to detail, what was once an architectural “eyesore” was transformed into a cultural-historical landmark and a village gathering place where art, culture, and socializing come together.

    Opening hours: 11:00 - 17:00

    Address: Otto-Hirth-Str. 7 | 76571 Gaggenau - Michelbach

    Access: Line 253, about an 800-meter walk, parking at Lindenplatz, about an 800-meter walk

    Website: hirtenhaus.com

Old Wagnerei Krieg
Bad Rotenfels

Exhibition: The Old Krieg Carriage Works © Franzjörg Krieg

Program

Guided Tour of the Exhibition and the "Alte Wagnerei Krieg" Memorial

Visitors can experience the historical significance of the role and function of a wheelwright’s workshop in the life of an agricultural community, as well as its connection to the community’s political and technological development. In addition, the exhibition illustrates the evolution of production processes in the woodworking trade over the past two centuries.

Time: 10 :00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., as needed; duration: 20 to 60 minutes each

Meeting point: courtyard of the open estate, Eisenbahnstr. 26

Directed by: Franzjörg Krieg

Accessibility: partially barrier-free

Weather Dependency: Takes place both indoors and outdoors

Children: When the weather is nice, there are coloring sheets

Dining: Yes, —in the garden when the weather is nice

  • The Krieg Wagon Workshop in Bad Rotenfels is the most complete surviving complex of an old wagon workshop, featuring equipment from the first half of the last century. The building itself dates back to 1898. However, the Krieg Wagon Workshop had been operated by the Krieg family on this property since 1797. Heinrich Krieg was the last practitioner of his trade and died in 2002. His son, Franzjörg, has been running the historic site ever since and continues to expand the related collections. Everything is still intact, from wood stocks to semi-finished products in the drying process (some over 100 years old) to finished products.

    Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00

    Address: Eisenbahnstr. 26 | 76571 Gaggenau - Bad Rotenfels

    Directions: 200 meters from the Bad Rotenfels train station; parking is available at the Old School or the Old Town Hall

    Website: www.wagnerei.franzjoerg.de

Rotenfels Castle

Exhibition: The Old Krieg Carriage Works © Franzjörg Krieg

Program

Lecture and guided tour on Friedrich Weinbrenner's work in Gaggenau

As part of an illustrated lecture, Friedrich Weinbrenner’s work will first be presented in general terms, before the focus shifts to his legacy in Gaggenau. This includes, first and foremost, Rotenfels Castle, as well as the Anton Rindeschwender monument on Gaggenau’s Town Hall Square. Following the lecture, we will follow in Weinbrenner’s footsteps by viewing Rotenfels Castle from the outside and exploring the surrounding area, including the Roman House.

Time: 14:00 - 16:00

Meeting place: The Great Hall of Rotenfels Castle ( ) 

Led by: Manfred Mayer, Lea Herm

Accessibility: partially barrier-free

Weather-dependent: takes place outdoors, with the option of sheltering under cover

  • Rotenfels Castle was originally built in 1725 as a smelter and later converted into a ceramics factory. After several changes in tenancy, Margrave Wilhelm von Baden commissioned the conversion of the industrial facilities into a stately residence in 1817. Weinbrenner also built the Roman House in the Bad Rotenfels spa park in 1804. In 1980, the castle was sold to the city of Gaggenau and renovated. Since 1995, it has housed the Center for School Quality and Teacher Education.

    Opening hours: 10:00 - 18:00

    Address: Badstraße 1A | 76571 Gaggenau

    Accessibility: Parking available at the castle; nearest stop: Bad Rotenfels Castle

  • Icon Friedrich Weinbrenner 2026
    © KME

    In 1816, Margrave Wilhelm of Baden took over what was then the stoneware factory and had Friedrich Weinbrenner transform it into a stately country estate—now known as Rotenfels Castle—by 1827. Weinbrenner also built the Roman House in the spa gardens and the Anton Rindeschwender Monument in Gaggenau.