The former half-timbered superstructure, however, was completely destroyed during the Thirty Years' War. It was not until 20 years later, in 1668, that the half-timbered structure we know today was built on the surviving stone masonry.
Five years later, a bell was installed in the tower of the town hall from the donations of the citizens of Grötzingen, which called the citizens into the large town hall for important votes, among other things. This bell can still be rung today.
In 1875, the entire outer façade of the town hall was covered with a plaster ceiling so that the half-timbering was no longer visible.
It was only after the end of the First World War that the façade was restored to its former state under Mayor Karl Jäck. Otherwise, the town hall survived all military conflicts, even though it was always the centre of attention. In the 1950s and 60s, the historic town hall was extensively renovated, during which the roof, the beam construction and the exterior walls were repaired.
Between 2016 and 2019, the historic town hall was completely renovated across all trades and areas. The equipment and technology were also adapted to meet today's requirements.
The citizens' hall, formerly the council chamber, now functions as an exhibition room and wedding hall as well as a venue for festive events. In addition, the mayor's office, the information centre with lost property office and information, the main office and the registry office are highly frequented contact points.
Citizens' hall with permanent exhibition of paintings by the historic Grötzingen artists' colony
The history of the Grötzingen painters' colony began with the purchase of a summer house by Friedrich Kallmorgen in 1889. A little later, the animal painter Otto Fikentscher bought the Augustenburg, a former Margravial-Baden castle, where he settled with his wife Jenny. Their Karlsruhe painter colleagues Gustav Kampmann, Franz Hein and Karl Biese joined them with their families. Always in artistic dialogue with the nearby Baden residence, the Grötzingers were among the founding members of the secessionist "Karlsruher Künstlerbund", which was founded in 1896. The Grötzinger played a major role in its reformist endeavours to promote artistic wall decorations for schools and homes. The lithographs produced by the Künstlerbund became famous throughout Germany and were mainly distributed by the Leipzig publishers Teubner and Voigtländer. Soon after 1900, the Grötzingen painters' colony largely disbanded.
The exhibition aims to give a small insight into the diversity and creative power of the artists of the historic Grötzingen artists' colony.
A brochure has also been published, which can be purchased from the local administration.
Visits during the pandemic:
Only by appointment by telephone:
Mon - Friday from 8-12
Mon - Wed from 14 - 15.30
Thu 14 - 16 o'clock
Group tours also available at weekends on request
