Blankenhorn Palace 1937

Of course, I am very happy that this building has been renamed “Blankenhorn Palace” in recent times. It always had a noble atmosphere about it – its owners discreetly presented their wealth.

Come on in through the wide archway into the courtyard. In the corner at the back, a mighty chestnut tree spreads its branches: the Blankenhorns always liked these trees – we have chestnut trees on many of our properties. A particularly grand old specimen can be seen in the Elisabethenheim courtyard.

There are two big wooden gates in the ground floor of the north wing: behind them are the depots of the carriages.

But the actual attraction is the English-style winter garden with an abundance of glass and elegant cast iron that was built in 1856 by the past owners in the first floor of the north wing.

In 1851, the first ever world’s fair had caused a sensation with its main attraction, the “Crystal Palace”. The splendour of this new type of architecture shone all the way to the Markgräflerland.

The winter garden of the “Crown” was the dernier cri and further increased the place’s prestige. Through the winter garden, you get into the dance hall.

It is a splendid setting for a grand wedding celebration, as was held there for my wedding with my wife Adolphine and many guests in 1868. She was a distant cousin, and both families were blessed with money and commodities.

Long after my time, from 1955 to 1973, the Müllheim town hall had its offices in this building.

Then, until 2014, began its transition to the acknowledged Markgräfler Museum, which now exhibits everything you may want to know about Markgräflerland: arts, history and prehistory, archaeology, literature, cooperage and wine, of course – the topic that coined my life as a scientist and winegrowing pioneer.

The miniature wine press I used to press grapes for laboratory experiments is still standing on my desk in the attic.

If you ever happen to be in Müllheim in August, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on the night of jazz, wine and culture, when the fully illuminated Blankenhorn Palace is open until midnight and its courtyard abounds with jazz and culinary delights.

Then you will also discover the near Frick Mill, the most recent member of Müllheim’s museum landscape in yet another significant historic property, which, as the name says, is about the mills of Müllheim. But that is an entirely different story.

In my time, such festivities as the Night of Museums were announced with placards. In digital times, you will find it easier to find out about them: Müllheim Tourist Information announces them early on its website.

The citizens of Müllheim nowadays call their town “Wine Capital of Markgräflerland”, which makes me proud. I wouldn’t have anticipated this when I made my PhD at the chair of Robert Bunsen in Heidelberg in 1864.