The name of the house refers to the original purpose of the house, trade. The goods were presented on stepped galleries, which in Latin means gradus and means step. This became the Gredhaus in popular parlance. Gredhaus Meersburg
Excursion destinations, Lake Constance (west)
The Gredhaus in Meersburg is located right on Lake Constance at the forefront.
When you are in Meersburg, you must also enjoy the view over Lake Constance and a large red house that was built on the shore of the water catches your eye: the Gredhaus.
History of the Gredhaus in Meersburg:
The name of the house refers to the original purpose of the house, trade. The goods were presented on stepped galleries, which in Latin means gradus and means step. This became the Gredhaus in popular parlance.
The documented history of the Gredhaus in Meersburg begins in 1498. At that time, the Bishop of Constance, Hugo von Hohenlandenberg, sold the house to the city of Meersburg. However, there was a condition attached to the deal. The city was to use the house as a department store, but he gave the city free rein.
Having such a covered trading place in the city was a must-have for cities in the Middle Ages. By concentrating trade in one place, control over trade was gained and taxation was thus easier.
After almost eleven years, in 1509, the Gredhaus became a place of trade and also served as a warehouse. Everything that came onto the market at that time was traded. The trade in grain in particular was of central importance for Meersburg and the main trading partner was Switzerland on the other side of Lake Constance.
In the middle of the 19th century, Meersburg expanded the port to accommodate modern technology in the form of steamships. But this was accompanied by changes that also affected the Grethaus.
The Grethaus was then modernized in 1899. The coat of arms on the facade only then took its current place. Before that, it was in the inner courtyard. The coat of arms is a mix of that of Bishop Hugo von Hohenlandenberg and the city of Meersburg. Under the miter, the bishop's symbol, is the date on which the coat of arms was created: 1505.