A Brief History of Grenzhof
Grenzhof was first mentioned in the Lorsch Codex as early as AD 771. At a time when Heidelberg consisted of little more than a few modest fishermenâs huts, prosperous families were already living in âGerinesheimâ, as todayâs Grenzhof was then known.
In the second half of the 8th century, these families donated their estates in Gerinesheim to Lorsch Abbey. The former owners continued to farm the land as hereditary tenants or feudal leaseholders and, in return for payments to the abbey, benefited from its protection.
Following the decline of Lorsch Abbey, ownership changed repeatedly. Gerinesheim passed into the hands of the Lords of Steinach, the Bishop of Speyer and SchĂśnau Abbey before eventually becoming part of Baden together with the Electoral Palatinate.
From the Middle Ages to the Modern Era
Around 1300, during a period of economic decline at SchĂśnau Abbey, the granges and manor farms in Gerinesheim were leased to farming families. Following the Thirty Yearsâ War (1618â1648), however, only two houses and two barns remained in the settlement, by then known as âGränessheimâ. The old hamlet recovered only slowly from the devastation of the war. A new era for Grenzhof began in 1683, when Elector Karl settled the hereditary tenants Jakob Schuh and Friedrich Link in Gränessheim. Following the War of the Palatine Succession from 1688 to 1697 and the peace that followed, conditions for the tenants improved. The original two farms grew to four, and by the 18th century the settlement once again comprised eight farms. Sheep farming remained one of the principal sources of income for local families until the end of the 19th century. Towards the end of that century, the hereditary leases were converted into private ownership through payment of twenty times the annual rent. Only the woodland remained in communal ownership, leading to the establishment of the âGrenzhĂśfer Waldgenossenschaftâ, the Grenzhof woodland cooperative, which still exists today.
The History of the Kaiser Family
The history of the Kaiser family at Grenzhof began when our great-grandmother, Katharina Kaiser, nĂŠe Hahn, married Georg Wilhelm Kaiser from Hoffenheim in the Kraichgau region. As the second-born and eldest daughter of six children, she was able to purchase what is now the Kaiser farm from her father â a remarkably progressive decision for the time. After the death of her mother, Katharina raised her younger siblings. Her father left his own farm at the head of Grenzhof to his eldest son and wanted the sale of the Kaiser farm to his daughter to express his gratitude to her. After many years as an independent settlement, Grenzhof was incorporated into Heidelberg in 1934. Katharina Kaiser herself had three children. Her eldest son, Ludwig Wilhelm, subsequently took over the business together with his wife Emma. Emma Kaiser was a true village innkeeper, and Grenzhof soon became a popular destination for people from the surrounding villages. After the privations of the war years, guests came here to enjoy the beginnings of Germanyâs post-war economic recovery over simple, hearty food: âWeisser Käseâ, a fresh cheese made from the familyâs own cowsâ milk, homemade charcuterie from their own livestock and other traditional specialities.
From Coaching Inn to Gourmet Restaurant
Heidemarie Kaiser came to Grenzhof in 1963 when she married Ernst Wilhelm Kaiser. To this day, she remains responsible for the hotelâs patisserie and bakery. As the third generation, she shaped the former village inn and developed it into a highly regarded restaurant in the region. The simple guest rooms were transformed into a comfortable and welcoming hotel, while Heidemarie Kaiserâs cuisine earned Grenzhof its first accolades from Gault & Millau, regional restaurant guides and Der Feinschmecker. Today, the fourth generation welcomes guests to Grenzhof. Ulrike Kugler, nĂŠe Kaiser, and Robert Wilhelm Kaiser continue to develop Grenzhofâs distinctive identity, which has long since become a brand in its own right. The unique character of the hotel and restaurant, together with its carefully selected team of skilled and welcoming staff, creates an atmosphere that is personal and family-oriented, yet elegant and comfortable at the same time. A sense of nostalgia and Grenzhofâs long family tradition should always remain part of the experience. Today, the Grenzhof name also encompasses the Grenzhof Bazar, the Grenzhof Wine Circle, Grenzhof seminars devoted to wine, cheese and cookery, as well as the Grenzhof distillery. Distilling spirits has been a traditional winter occupation for the male members of the family since the very beginning, and Robert Wilhelm Kaiser continues this tradition today. The house-made fruit brandies are well worth discovering â as are the traditional âBrennerfeschtlâ distillery celebrations held in February. And that, so far, is the story of Grenzhof.
