Ever wondered about a place that evolved from a Frankish settlement? That place is Mainz-Laubenheim. Let’s step into the story of this fascinating quarter of Mainz. It lies south of the A60 autobahn and west of the B9 highway. Mainz-Laubenheim sits comfortably on the banks of the Rhine.
The first mention of Mainz-Laubenheim appears in 773 AD. It was then known as Nubenheim. Imagine, over 1200 years of history unfolded here. In 1801, Laubenheim fell under French rule. Later, in 1816, the Grand Duchy of Hessen took control. Finally, on June 8, 1969, Laubenheim became part of Mainz.
But the story of Mainz-Laubenheim goes back even further. Archaeological finds suggest human presence since the Neolithic era. Discoveries in the Laubenheimer Grund and the Rhine support this. South of Laubenheim, the Menhir of Mainz-Laubenheim was found in the Karpfenwiesen. It dates back to the late Neolithic period. A settlement site from the late Bronze Age was also found. This was near the Portlandwerke excavation site.
Around 500 AD, the Franks began to settle here. A Frankish nobleman named Nubo or Nuwo established a homestead. This led to the development of a village-like settlement. This period is marked by Merovingian row graves discovered in Laubenheim. By March 5, 773, this settlement was officially documented. A deed of donation to Fulda Abbey referred to it as Nubenheim.
The Lorscher Codex mentions Laubenheim several times. In 777, Heinrat and Friderat donated a vineyard with four parcels in Laubenheim. In 797, Helmsuint gave a homestead including a house and land.
By the 12th century, a sound shift changed the name to “Lubenheim”. In 1211, a church was first mentioned. During the Städtkrieg in 1388/89, Laubenheim was burned down. Palatinate troops led by Count Palatine Ruprecht destroyed it along with other towns. Devastation also struck during the Thirty Years’ War. Like Mainz, Laubenheim was under French control between 1792/93 and 1798-1814. After the Congress of Vienna, Laubenheim joined the Grand Duchy of Hessen. In 1818, it gained an independent municipal administration.
In 1850, Christian Adalbert Kupferberg founded a sparkling wine cellar in the Marienhof. But he moved to Kästrich in Mainz in 1865. The Marienhof, a late baroque winery, features a Rococo Madonna from 1767. The Mainz-Ludwigshafen railway opened in 1853. Severe flooding hit Laubenheim in 1882 and 1883. After World War II, a levee was built to protect Laubenheim. The Evangelical Church was dedicated in 1895. In 1908, Ludwig Becker renovated the Baroque Catholic parish church of St. Maria Himsuchung. A heavy bombing raid struck Laubenheim on February 1, 1945. Construction of the town hall began in 1951. In 1966, a town partnership was formed with Longchamp, France. Laubenheim was incorporated into the city of Mainz on June 7, 1969.
The Laubenheimer-Bodenheimer Ried nature reserve was established in 1982. It expanded to 180 hectares in 1998. Today, Mainz-Laubenheim is a vibrant part of Mainz. It offers a blend of historical charm and modern living. Its past is etched in its streets and buildings. From ancient settlements to modern suburb, Laubenheim connects different eras. So, next time you pass through, remember the layers of history beneath your feet.