Did you know Bergen-Enkheim wasn’t always part of Frankfurt? It has a story all its own. Bergen-Enkheim is now a borough of Frankfurt am Main. But it used to be an independent town.
Let’s explore Bergen-Enkheim. It is a place where small-town charm meets city life.
Once upon a time, there were two towns. They were Bergen and Enkheim. In the thirteenth century they were mentioned as a common village. For centuries, Bergen and Enkheim were administered together. That was in 1936. Bergen-Enkheim officially became a town in 1968. Finally, in 1977, it joined Frankfurt.
Geographically, Bergen-Enkheim marks the transition. It goes from the Main valley to the rising Wetterau. Today, Bergen-Enkheim is well-connected. It has the Rhine-Main area’s U-Bahn and bus network.
Bergen-Enkheim is known for a few things. It has a literary connection. The Stadtschreiber von Bergen literary prize is awarded. This happens every year at the Berger Markt. Also, the Arabidopsis thaliana race Enkheim is important. It is used in plant molecular biology research.
The old town of Bergen is a must-see site. Its historic town hall holds the area’s historical museum. The Gothic foundation dates from 1300 to 1350. The upper floor is in the rural Renaissance style. It dates from the early sixteenth century. A baroque lantern tops a tower added in 1704.
A remnant of the old city walls remains. It frames the White Tower. This was a late Gothic watchtower. The counts of Hanau created it along the town walls.
Since 1959, the local history museum has been here. It is located in Bergen’s Markstrasse. The building itself is charming. The wine cellar is over 750 years old. It holds a collection of folklore artefacts. These include items from viniculture, cider production, and flax processing. Bergen-Enkheim was a farming community.
Inside the Gothic courtroom, there’s a heraldic frieze. It shows 40 coats of arms. These document the ruling and ownership rights in Bergen-Enkheim over 1000 years. An impressive diorama features 2,260 tin figures. It recalls the nearby battle of 1759. This occurred during the Seven Years’ War.
Old banners of local associations hang in the stairway. The upper corridor highlights significant local history events. The former Rathaus portrays the history of Schelmen Castle. It also shows the knight lineages of Schelme and Bergen.
Two rooms display items from Roman times. They also contain pre- and early history artifacts. The star is Hessen’s loveliest hand-axe. Neanderthal man used this universal tool. It was found near Bergen. Two more rooms house a natural history collection. Schoolchildren learn about the animal kingdom here. They also learn about the origins of the local landscape.
Bergen-Enkheim has a unique blend of businesses. Equinix, Nord-Micro, and Sun Chemical all have locations here. The local trade association includes 140 businesses. The Hessen-Center is a major shopping mall.
For sports, there is a public pool. It has a 50m lap pool and diving pool. There is a modern athletics facility. A tennis club is also available.
Regular sports events occur. These include a road race and a triathlon. Bergen-Enkheim even holds the only county fair in Frankfurt. It is the location of the Berger Market. The Stadtschreiber von Bergen is inducted here. The official Apfelwein Queen is crowned here.
From its historic buildings to its vibrant culture, Bergen-Enkheim offers a unique experience. It is a place where history and community come together.