Wachenburg

At the end of the 19th century, against the general backdrop of an upsurge in national feelings, the idea of ​​erecting a monument to those who died in the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-1871 initially arose . members of the Corporation. Subsequently, there was also a proposal to create a venue for the annual meetings of the Association. To implement the project in 1896, the ruin of the Vindek castle was chosen; however, shortly before the commencement of work, the Duke of Baden sold Vindeck to Count von Berckheim, who banned all new construction.

Then the choice fell on the neighboring Wachenberg mountain, on which - in agreement with the Weinheim burgomaster - it was supposed to build an observation tower and a hut protecting from the weather. As a result of negotiations between the Association of Student Corporations, Weinheim and the Leutershausen community (today part of the Hirschberg (Bergstrasse) community), a 99-year lease was concluded, with the possibility of extension for the next 99 years.

In 1906, after the competition, the project of Arthur Vinkoop was chosen, which proposed the construction of the building in several stages. At the beginning of 1907, permission was granted for construction work, and on May 16, 1907, a foundation stone was installed for the future hall of fame and square for celebrations. Bergfried was consecrated on May 31, 1908. With the completion of work in the main building (palace) in May 1913, Wachenburg was commissioned; the so-called Fox basement (German: Fuchskeller ; a kind of pun, as "fuchs" also means a newcomer to the corporation), however, remained incomplete.

In 1928, electricity was conducted in Wachenburg, and from 1929 to 1934. built access road.

After the dissolution of the Association in 1938 and until the resumption of its activities in 1950, Wachenburg was owned by the city of Weinheim.

In 1949, the Union of European Youth was founded in Wachenburg (today - Young European Federalists , the youth organization of the Union of European Federalists ). In post-war Germany, the project of European federalization was considered one of the possibilities for a more equitable political system; and the Union of European Youth tried by means of striking actions to draw attention to the topic, and on the other hand, to distance oneself from the parent organization.

In 1963, according to the plans of Wilhelm Gottsauner (German: Wilhelm Gottsauner ), the Hall of Fame was expanded, placing memorial plaques with the names of those who died in both world wars.

In 1965, the Association of Student Corporation Members purchased Wachenburg from the Leutershausen community (Weinheim withdrew from the agreement in 1956).

To this day, Wachenburg is used to hold annual meetings of the Association of Student Corporation Members, which take place during the Ascension Day . The main building, as a rule, is open only to members of the Association; excursions are organized several times a year for the public. The castle courtyard, restaurant and observation tower are available for free access.

Thomas Biller: Burgen und Schlösser im Odenwald. Ein Führer zu Geschichte und Architektur. Schnell und Steiner, Regensburg 2005, ISBN 3-7954-1711-2 , S. 81f.