Heidesheim am Rhein

A Frankish nobleman named Heisino. That’s who Heidesheim am Rhein may owe its name to. Heidesheim am Rhein became part of Ingelheim am Rhein in 2019. But before that, it boasted a rich history. Heidesheim am Rhein was a significant municipality in Rhenish Hesse. Evidence suggests settlement here dates back to the New Stone Age. In Roman times, a large villa rustica thrived north of the present town center. After the Germanic invasions, the villa was abandoned. Saint George’s Chapel was built within its walls. Frankish settlers gathered around this chapel in the mid-7th century. Heidesheim am Rhein’s first documented mention appears as Heisinisheim or Hasinisheim in donations to Lorsch Abbey between 765 and 794. A greater number of documents surface around 1150. These reveal that Altmünster Abbey held considerable land and half the tithes in Heidesheim am Rhein. In 1158, the Lords of Winternheim, later known as the Lords of Winterau, emerged. They began building Windeck Castle in the first half of the 12th century. While the castle grew, Heidesheim am Rhein remained largely unfortified. In 1200, when Archbishop Conrad of Wittelsbach rebuilt Mainz’s city wall, Heidesheim am Rhein had to contribute. The villagers were responsible for building, equipping, and maintaining five merlons of the wall. This granted them protection, defense, market rights, and free trade within the city. The archiepiscopal Amtmann and the Altmünster Vogt often clashed. This is evident from two trials between Heinrich von Stockheim and Hans Georg von Bicken before the Imperial Chamber Court. In 1609, a pivotal year, Altmünster relinquished most of its authority. It retained only patronage rights at the Parish Church of Saints Philip and James. The Elector gained control over Heidesheim am Rhein’s worldly affairs. The positions of Vogt and Amtmann became obsolete. Windeck Castle became a heritable asset. Today, Heidesheim am Rhein continues to evolve as part of Ingelheim am Rhein, carrying this intriguing story forward.