Haus Salmegg

Haus Salmegg, a distinguished historic building in Rheinfelden (Baden-Württemberg, Germany), stands as a testament to the region's rich cultural and architectural heritage. Nestled along the picturesque banks of the Rhine River, this neoclassical gem has evolved through centuries, bearing witness to the ebb and flow of history and human endeavor.

The Name and Its Origins

The name Salmegg is derived from the term Salm, referring to the salmon that once thrived abundantly in the Rhine. Historically, a Salmenwaage or salmon weighing station was situated on a small foundation in the river, right in front of the house. This lever mechanism allowed fishermen to lower and raise nets to catch the prized fish, a nod to the building's connection with the river's natural bounty.

A Journey Through History

Before the construction of the current Haus Salmegg in 1824/25, the site was home to the Gasthaus zur Aue, an inn that also served as a courthouse for several centuries. This inn stood near the northern end of the Rhine Bridge, adjacent to a customs station that still exists today. The riverside location featured a landing stage for boats and a horse trough on the eastern side of the bridge, remnants of which can still be seen behind the present-day customs building.

The current building was commissioned by Franz Joseph Dietschy, a prominent figure born in Wiesental and residing in Swiss Rheinfelden. Dietschy, who owned the Salmen inn and brewery and served as the town's mayor, envisioned Haus Salmegg as a summer residence for his wife, Anna-Maria Tschudy. Tragically, Anna-Maria passed away shortly after its completion, and the house saw limited use thereafter. One of Dietschy's granddaughters, married to publisher Martin Benziger from Einsiedeln, lived there until 1911.

Wartime and Post-War Transitions

During both World Wars, the border crossing at Rheinfelden was closed, and the house remained largely unused. In the Nazi era, Swiss property ownership in Germany and vice versa was discouraged. Consequently, Dietschy's descendants had to exchange Haus Salmegg for two properties in Switzerland in 1942, transferring ownership to the town of Rheinfelden. The building then housed forcibly settled German families and even served as the town's music school for a period.

In 1962, the large economic section originally attached to the main house was demolished. The city's housing association purchased the property in 1988, and a renovation in 1989 earned an award for Good Building Practices.

Modern-Day Usage

Today, Haus Salmegg is a vibrant cultural hub. The basement houses an upscale restaurant, while the ground floor features a function hall with a wedding room. The first floor is dedicated to exhibitions organized by the Association for Art and History Haus Salmegg. Until 2017, the attic was home to the city museum of Badisch Rheinfelden. The landscaped park surrounding the house is now part of the city park, adorned with a monument to Anna-Maria Dietschy and ancient trees, including a majestic beech and towering pines.

Artistic Flourishes

The forecourt between the Rhine Bridge and Haus Salmegg is graced by the City Column, a sculpture by local artist Leonhard Eder. Crafted from shell limestone, the column features oversized hands with water trickling through them, symbolizing the river's role in the town's hydroelectric power history. Engraved chemical formulas highlight the town's industrial past, and the names of the city's mayors are inscribed on the column, along with color bands representing the city's colors.

In front of the restaurant terrace, on one of several concrete pedestals that once supported transmission line masts from the Rheinfelden hydroelectric power plant to the Augst/Wyhlen plant, stands the Dickfigur Beteigeuze, a sculpture by Swiss artist Bernhard Luginbühl. This over-one-ton iron sphere, with an anchor hanging from chains, was a gift from Swiss Rheinfelden to its German sister city on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of its city status.

Directly in front of Haus Salmegg in the Rhine lies the infamous St.-Anna-Loch, a deep depression in the riverbed known for its dangerous whirlpools. In a creative interpretation of a mythical tale surrounding this whirlpool, local artist Roland Kistner designed a fountain on the restaurant terrace in 2007. The fountain features two bronze figures: an amphibious woman with gills and large frog feet, mourning over a drowned child beside her, with water flowing from her feet into a small stone basin.

Haus Salmegg is more than just a historic building; it is a living museum that encapsulates the spirit and history of Rheinfelden. Its walls tell stories of the past, while its present-day functions breathe new life into this architectural treasure, making it a must-visit destination for anyone exploring the rich cultural tapestry of Baden-Württemberg.