The history of the Gasthof zum Ochsen
Family-owned for nearly 150 years
About us
Established on 28 February 1244 by the Counts of Freiburg, the Gasthof zum Ochsen is the oldest hotel in Vöhrenbach and a place with a rich tradition. Owned by the Ketterer family since 1875, it had historical significance as a place of important decisions and was also host to high-ranking figures. Today we, the Winker family, are carrying on its tradition-steeped story and, together with our team, will make every effort to give you a pleasant stay. Visit us at the Gasthof zum Ochsen – where history meets hospitality.
A house steeped in tradition
The history of the house dates back to the year 1244 when the town of Vöhrenbach was founded. We’ll start in the year 1819, when, over Whitsun, the building burned down for the fourth time. Around 1875, the house was acquired by Ludwig Ketterer and it has since been owned by the Ketterer family. Ludwig Ketterer produced orchestrions between 1875 and 1900. From 1920 to 1960 Otto Ketterer, and then Werner Ketterer, produced gongs. Since 1922, the Gasthof zum Ochsen has been offering hospitality to guests again. In 1952, Agathe married Werner Ketterer and thereby became part of the family and the hotel. In 2002 she passed the business to her son Klaus, who together with his wife Rita managed successfully for 20 years and continues to provide his support.
A new direction
On 1 January 2023, the daughter of Klaus and Rita, Maria-Magdalena Winker, took over the running of the hotel. Together with her husband Stephan, she is now continuing the family’s life’s work and the history of the house. Even before officially taking over the hotel, the couple had already implemented a huge project in the form of the purchase, renovation and redesign of the guest annex. Further modernisations and renovations will follow, applying the principle of “Preserve the good, risk the new”, thereby ensuring a promising future for the Gasthof zum Ochsen.
