Red House In Dornbirn

The Red House (Rotes Haus) is one of the most recognizable and impressive structures in Dornbirn, a city in the western Austrian state of Vorarlberg. The Red House (Rotes Haus), a wooden building in the shape of a Rhine Valley home, stands on the market square near the parish church of St. Martin, and is a municipal landmark. The Red House was built in 1639 by Michael Danner and his wife Verena, née Rhomberg, who belonged to two prominent families of Dornbirn. The building served as their residence, as well as an inn and a dancing hall, where various social events and celebrations took place. The name of the building comes from the red color of the wooden facade, which was originally painted with a mixture of ox blood and ox bile to protect it from the weather. The Danner-Rhomberg coat of arms, featuring a fir and a lion, can still be seen on the main front gable.

The Red House has played an important role in the political and historical development of Dornbirn. The building is located in the Markt district, just southwest of the market square and near the parish church, which was the center of the town’s administration and jurisdiction. The flight of steps in the Red House was regularly used for official announcements, such as the proclamation of new laws, taxes, and regulations. The most significant event that took place in the Red House was the ransom from the Counts of Ems in 1771, which freed the inhabitants of Dornbirn from the feudal domination of the Ems family, who had ruled over the area since the 14th century. This event marked the beginning of the autonomy and prosperity of Dornbirn, which later became a leading industrial and cultural center in Vorarlberg.

The Red House is not only a witness of the past, but also a part of the present and the future of Dornbirn. The building has been renovated and expanded several times over the years, adding new elements and features that reflect the changing times and tastes. In 1907-8, an Art Nouveau house was built next to the Red House, creating a contrast and a harmony between the old and the new. In 1954, August Rhomberg and his wife, architect Elfriede Rhomberg, saved the Red House from deterioration and demolition at the hands of the city, and turned it into a monument that preserves the heritage and the identity of Dornbirn. In 2007, the restaurant in the building was completely rebuilt, offering a variety of dishes and drinks, as well as a cozy and elegant atmosphere. The restaurant also hosts regular exhibitions, concerts, and readings, showcasing local and international artists and performers.