HEITERSHEIM: IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE ROMANS

Thanks to its location at the foot of the Black Forest, Heitersheim became the perfect site for a Roman squire’s residence in the 1st century BC. Recent excavations allow us to trace its history, beautifully presented in the archaeological site reconstruction and the museum of the Villa Urbana. From 1505 until 1806, Heitersheim was the seat of the Grand Priory of Germany of the Order of St. John (Order of Malta). The Renaissance-style Priory Castle, later enriched with Baroque additions, is today one of the most beautiful cultural monuments of the Southern Upper Rhine.

The Villa Urbana was rebuilt on the site of what was originally the residence of a wealthy Roman squire, dating from the 1st to 3rd centuries AD. The fascinating reconstruction in the Archaeological Museum shows how the villa was once adorned with mosaic floors and wall paintings. Next to the villa park stands the Castle of the Maltese Grand Priory: a striking building whose architecture reveals its important defensive role in the Renaissance. Later additions include Baroque gardens, a cloister, and an 18th-century church with Neo-Baroque decorations.

Heitersheim is one of the largest wine-growing communities in the Markgräflerland region, with over 140 hectares of vineyards. The fertile soil around the town has supported viticulture since Roman times. Renowned labels such as Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Noir, Riesling, Chardonnay, and Burgundy offer a wide range of tastings, often paired with local specialties. In the historic center, visitors can enjoy everything from game dishes to traditional cakes in restaurants already documented as early as 1606. From the center, one can stroll along the Wein-Panorama-Weg, where the view stretches across the vineyards, offering a stunning panorama of the region.