Picture this. You stand before Mammolshain a charming village nestled in the Taunus hills. Its story begins perhaps in the early 11th century. It was one of many settlements carved from the forest. In 1191 the name Meinboldeshagen appears in records. For centuries Mammolshain’s fate was intertwined with the Counts of Nürings and the Lords of Bolanden-Falkenstein.
The village is a sun-drenched haven. It sits on a terrace above the Main plain. Its location on the south-facing slopes of the Hardtberg mountain is special. This made Mammolshain famous. It became a health resort for children with lung diseases. Another claim to fame is its many sweet chestnut trees. At the foot of Mammolshain is the Kronthal spring park. It boasts mineral springs. This is partly in Kronberg partly in Mammolshain.
Rudolf G Binding beautifully described Mammolshain. He wrote “In a sunny sleep year in year out lies the village of Mammolshain”. It sits on the first step of one of the most beautiful German mountain ranges. It has nestled itself like a basking kitten. It’s almost hidden by a dense crown of old broad-armed chestnut trees. These only grow on this south-facing slope.
Binding describes the few fields in narrow strips. He describes the endless strawberry plantations. Their yield sold in the cities provides a handsome income. This keeps the comfortable farmers from other enterprises.
In 1539 Ludwig von Stolberg granted Mammolshain local rights. In 1581 Mammolshain along with Königstein became a fief of the Electorate of Mainz. It shared the Electorate’s fate in the wars of the 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1803 it became part of Nassau. In 1866 it became Prussian. In 1972 Mammolshain became part of Königstein im Taunus.
Mammolshain is proud of its chestnut trees. The cultivation of sweet chestnuts is documented since 1756. In 1931 there were 640 trees. This number is about the same today. The Rhein-Main Regional Park features a chestnut-themed seating area. Wooden benches are shaped like chestnuts. They were renewed in 2009.
The Catholic Michaelskapelle church was consecrated in 1738. After WWII the number of Catholics increased due to refugees. The St Michael parish church was built of Mammolshain stone. It was consecrated in 1948 by Bishop Ferdinand Dirichs. The old Michaelskapelle was integrated as a Marian chapel. In 2000 the old bell from the original chapel was added to the bell tower.
Mammolshain boasts a vibrant community life. The football club celebrated its centenary in 2010. The choir is even older. Recent years saw new clubs form. Village festivals concerts kermises exhibitions and a Christmas market are now annual events.
Mammolshain is known internationally. This is because of the Eschborn-Frankfurt cycling race. This race features a short but extremely steep climb up Mammolshainer Berg.
The village has a small primary school. It’s the smallest in the Hochtaunuskreis district. In 2017 it had 82 pupils. It had four classes from first to fourth grade. The village community hall built in 1956 was the first in the Obertaunuskreis district. Mammolshain’s history is rich and complex. It’s a story of resilience growth and community. A story worth remembering.