At this location, there is a well shaft that was situated beneath an asphalt surface until 2012. As part of the urban renovation, the Saalbrunnen has once again become a component of the local landscape. Today, travertine blocks mark its location.
The location of the Saalbrunnen is particularly interesting: It is precisely at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse axes of the Carolingian core buildings. Thus, the location of the Saalbrunnen marked the center of the palatial complex around the year 800. The symmetrical arrangement of the palatial buildings is a significant characteristic of the Ingelheim imperial palace.
So far, there are no reliable research results regarding the exact age of the well shaft. However, due to its significant spatial relationship with the rest of the Carolingian structures, it is likely that this well also originated around the year 800.
Until the first half of the 20th century, the Saalbrunnen was used for water extraction. Like many other historically documented wells, it testifies to the water abundance of the area surrounding the palace.
