Historical Merchants' Hall

Standing proudly on the south side of the Münsterplatz in Freiburg im Breisgau, the Historical Merchants' Hall (Historisches Kaufhaus) is a striking edifice that captures the imagination with its vibrant red facade and rich architectural details. This iconic building, a testament to Freiburg’s prosperous past, commands attention and invites visitors to delve into its storied history.

The Historical Significance of the Historical Merchants' Hall

The origins of the Historical Merchants' Hall date back to the 14th century when the first municipal warehouse was constructed on Schusterstraße to serve as a hub for market administration, goods handling, and customs processing. The current building, however, began to take shape in 1520, facing the majestic Freiburg Minster, and was completed in 1532. While the architect remains uncertain, it is speculated that one of the master builders working on the Freiburg Minster, possibly Lienhart Müller from Ettlingen, played a significant role.

The building has undergone several transformations over the centuries. In 1550, a balcony was added, and following the sieges of Freiburg in 1714 and 1744, war damage necessitated repairs. The facade received a new coat of paint by Simon Göser in 1814. Between 1880 and 1884, the structure was remodeled in a historicist style, incorporating new dormer windows reminiscent of the Hôtel-Dieu in Beaune. However, these changes were reversed in 1924/1925 under the direction of City Building Director Karl Gruber, restoring the building to its previous state. The last significant renovations took place between 1987 and 1991 and again in 2000.

Architectural Splendor and Design

The Historical Merchants' Hall is renowned for its decorative elements and its distinctive dark red color. The building's high roof, flanked by stepped gables, houses two storage floors ventilated by dormer windows. The facade is adorned with elaborate sculptures and coats of arms, adding to its grandeur. The ground floor features a vaulted arcade with four arches facing the Münsterplatz and two side arches, emphasizing its role as a center of commerce. The ribbed vault of the arcade is decorated with keystones bearing coats of arms, and a stone bench runs along the wall separating the hall from the courtyard.

Access to the interior is through a large gate leading to a hall open to the courtyard, as well as a smaller, intricately framed door adorned with the coats of arms of Freiburg and Austria. The courtyard features a tower with an elaborate spiral staircase, known as the Kaiserstiege, which originally served as the main access to the grand hall on the upper floor.

The upper floor of the Historical Merchants' Hall is dominated by a large hall that opens onto the market square with late Gothic curtain arch windows. The hall is flanked by two elegant, polygonal bay windows covered with colorful tiles. The facade is embellished with Habsburg sculptures and coats of arms created by Hans Sixt von Staufen between 1530 and 1531. The statues, crowned with canopies, depict Emperor Maximilian I, his son King Philip the Handsome, and Philip's sons, Emperor Charles V and King Ferdinand I. The coats of arms beneath the bay windows feature the imperial double-headed eagle and the emblems of the Habsburg hereditary lands.

The Imperial Hall and Its Grandeur

The most significant interior space is the Kaisersaal (Imperial Hall), which now serves as an impressive venue for events, accommodating up to 350 people. The hall boasts a stucco ceiling with painted coat of arms fields from 1629/1631 and numerous portraits of Habsburg rulers, including Emperor Franz I and his wife Maria Theresa, their son Emperor Joseph II and his wife Isabella of Parma, and Emperor Franz II. A large painting on the end wall depicts the siege of the fortress of Freiburg in 1714. The stained glass windows, created by Fritz Geiges in 1924, add to the hall's splendor.

The Kaisersaal was not named after the Roman emperors of the House of Habsburg but after German Emperor Wilhelm I, for whom the city of Freiburg hosted a banquet here on October 3, 1876, during the inauguration of the Victory Monument. The hall is accessed via a baroque staircase in the adjacent Redoutenhaus, built in 1776 as a ballroom. The foyer of the Kaisersaal is located on the first floor, and the second floor houses the club room of the historical society Schau-ins-Land, designed by Fritz Geiges in 1878. The founding meeting of the regional association Badische Heimat also took place in the Historical Merchants' Hall.

Additional Event Spaces

In the building complex facing Schusterstraße, known as the Old Merchants' Hall, there are two smaller rooms available for events on the first floor. The Kaminzimmer (Fireplace Room), accessible via a spiral staircase dating back to 1518, can accommodate up to 90 people and features a massive fireplace from the 15th century and an 18th-century stucco ceiling adorned with the imperial double-headed eagle. The Rokokosaal (Rococo Hall), with stucco decorations by Franz Anton Vogel from 1751, can host up to 70 people.

In 2016, the Kaisersaal and its foyer were equipped with an air conditioning system capable of maintaining the room temperature up to six degrees below the outside temperature.

In conclusion, the Historical Merchants' Hall is not just a historic building; it is a symbol of Freiburg's rich commercial heritage and architectural splendor. Its walls echo the stories of centuries past, making it an unmissable attraction for anyone visiting this beautiful city. Whether you're a history enthusiast or simply appreciate stunning architecture, the Historical Merchants' Hall offers a glimpse into Freiburg's vibrant past and enduring legacy.