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The Middle Ages in Rheinhessen were a time of profound changes and developments. Between the 6th and 15th centuries, far-reaching political, economic and cultural influences shaped the lives of the people in the region.
Cities such as Mainz and Worms played an important role, not only as religious and political centers, but also as places of knowledge and culture. The noble families, monasteries and dioceses had a lasting impact on social and economic life in Rheinhessen. The influence of Christianity and the changing balance of power between the emperor, church and nobility led to a dynamic, often turbulent history that has shaped the cultural identity of Rheinhessen to this day.
In addition to impressive medieval buildings, which still shape the face of the region today, the Middle Ages also produced important personalities such as Johannes Gutenberg and Hildegard von Bingen, who are an integral part of Rheinhessen's history.
Our Rheinhessen map gives you an overview of impressive medieval buildings that bring the region's medieval heritage to life.
The town of Oppenheim am Rhein can look back on over 1,250 years of town history and is home to a number of testimonies to the medieval settlement period that are well worth a visit. Visit St. Catherine's Church, built between the 13th and 15th centuries, or wander through the ruins of the former imperial castle of Landskron. The Oppenheim cellar labyrinth, which was built between the 12th and 17th centuries, is the perfect way to round off your medieval day in Oppenheim.
When traveling through Rheinhessen, you can't avoid them - the medieval castles. High above the towns and villages of the region, their more or less well-preserved remains tower into the sky and bear witness to the historical relevance of the entire region.
Pagan tower churches are a real rarity in Germany, so it's lucky that there are four of them in Rheinhessen. As the name suggests, the churches are characterized by their towers, which have an oriental feel to them. The churches are definitely eye-catching from the outside, but it is also worth visiting the inside. The elaborate ornamentation and decorations are just as much a highlight as the rare towers. Why the buildings have their gables, which are atypical for the region, has not yet been clarified. What is certain, however, is that the towers must have been built at the time of the First Crusade (1096-1099).
Prophetess and advisor, musician and painter, manager and PR woman - Hildegard von Bingen combined many qualities. In Bingen, you can follow in the footsteps of this unique woman of the Middle Ages and trace her life and work up close.
In an extensive permanent exhibition at the Historical Museum am Strom in Bingen, you can experience the life and work of Saint Hildegard of Bingen. The multimedia exhibition provides an authentic portrayal of the abbess and, with elaborate graphic design and several interactive installations, ensures an exciting journey back to the Middle Ages. In addition, the "Hildegarden" showcases a variety of plants mentioned in Hildegard's natural science writings. As the latest addition to the Hildegard experience, the "Elevator to the Past" in the Villa Rupertsberg can be visited.
Hardly any other personality has had a greater impact on Rheinhessen than Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of movable type printing. In the middle of the 15th century, he revolutionized the world of communication, paving the way not only for the Renaissance, but also for the Reformation.
As the "World Museum of Printing Art," the Gutenberg Museum invites you on a journey through the history of book, printing, and written culture. From cuneiform script to modern typography, from handwriting to fine printing, from the reconstructed Gutenberg workshop and the two Gutenberg Bibles to the museum's educational project space – the printing shop. However, the Gutenberg experience doesn't end within the museum walls! Many corners of the city offer opportunities to discover Gutenberg's traces, and even experience them virtually.