St. Bernhard's Church is the oldest parish church in Rastatt with a High Gothic choir, mentioned in documents as early as 1207. The wars of the 17th century severely damaged the church. The High Gothic choir walls with the remains of wall paintings survived the fire of 1689.
in 1771, the church was consecrated to Blessed Margrave Bernhard von Baden after being remodeled and renovated and was used as a cemetery chapel until the middle of the 19th century. The French envoys who were murdered in 1799 are buried in the former cemetery. St. Bernard's Church still serves as a place of worship today.
Children discover Rastatt:
St. Bernhard's Church was built on a hill by the people of Rastatt. This was necessary because the flooding of the Murg river during heavy rain or after the snow melted in the Black Forest repeatedly flooded houses, fields and meadows.
For a long time, the church was the only place of worship in the town. When Rastatt became a residential town, the church had become far too small. Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm therefore laid the foundation stone for a larger parish church.
A cemetery also belonged to St. Bernard's Church. Each deceased person had their own grave. If people were important or famous, this was written on the gravestone. You can find such gravestones at St. Bernard's Church.
