Kornhaus (Grain House)

The construction of the guild and dance hall was originally supposed to be completed for the visit of King Maximilian I in 1498. The rooms were to be used for the ceremonies and sessions of the Reichstag convoked by the king. However, construction was not completed in time, forcing the Reichstag to convene in the Old Court House (Gerichtslaube). The king was not happy and complained about the lack of space in his meeting rooms. But Freiburg’s citizens had cause for joy, as they were allowed to use the Kornhaus for dancing and celebrations upon its completion.

Following its musical years came laughter and applause. From 1770 to 1824, the Kornhaus was transformed into a theater for professional actors who performed classical plays and comedies on its stage. Following the founding of the city’s theater and the relocation of the ensemble to the new building, things quietened down in the Kornhaus by the middle of the 19th century. The building served as a grain storage facility for merchants up until the Second World War.

It was reconstructed between 1969 and 1971, after which the building with the striking stepped gables became a lively place again. Today, it houses the Centre Culturel Français, an ice cream parlor and a number of beautiful shops.