The Rastatt City Archive is the memory of the city. Here, the written records of Rastatt's history are kept and documents important to the town's history are stored. As a central point of contact for questions about Rastatt's history, it offers citizens its historical holdings for research. The city archivist is Oliver Fieg.
Historical documents
If you have found documents on the city's history in an estate that you would like to preserve for posterity, you are welcome to contact the city archive.
The city archive will also be happy to advise you on searching for archival records and is available to provide written and oral information. The service also includes, among other things, the inspection of building files as well as information from the registers of births, marriages and deaths.
Exceptional documents
An extraordinary document of contemporary history and a special treasure in the possession of the city archives is a document from 1701 with the personal signature of Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden-Baden. In it, the sovereign guarantees every old and new citizen of the residential town of Rastatt numerous securities and freedoms in the event that they build a new house within a period of three years. The main purpose of such incentives was to accelerate the reconstruction of the town and to stimulate population growth.
What is preserved: Holdings at a glance
Official records since the late Middle Ages: official books and files
The oldest Rastatt holdings date back to the 14th century. Many archival records originate especially from the time since the founding of Rastatt by Margrave Ludwig Wilhelm of Baden-Baden around 1700. Most of these are documents, invoices, official books and files. The files of the town administration make up a large part of the holdings.
Archival records of incorporated suburbs
Non-municipal records and collections
In addition, the municipal archives also contain records of non-municipal institutions and local associations, as well as of companies and individuals who shaped the public life of the city. Numerous maps and plans, periodicals, posters, printed matter, books and individual items are kept in the collection holdings. The holdings continue to grow.
The photo and image archive
The photo and image archive, which has been newly established since the beginning of 2021, already contains about 5000 recorded units, all of which are searchable and mostly digitized. The holdings are among the most frequently used in the city archive and contain mainly historical photos, postcards, engravings, watercolors, albums and digital images. The photo and image archive is constantly being developed.
The contemporary history collections
Historical newspapers
Reference library
Opening hours
From October 2022 until probably mid/end of 2023, the City Archive will be closed due to relocation. The new location is Karlstraße 23.
Inquiries can only be processed to a limited extent during this period.
Downloads
Archive Regulations (PDF) (15 KB)
General Administrative Fees (Part 1) (PDF) (406 KB)
General Administrative Fees (Part 2) (PDF) (508 KB)