Curious about Mombach? It is a borough in the northwest corner of Mainz. Mombach boasts a rich history dating back to prehistoric times.
Mombach celebrated its 750-year jubilee in 2006. The town was originally inhabited by farmers, mariners and fishermen. Archaeological excavations confirm that Mombach was settled in prehistoric times. A flat hatchet from the early Bronze Age was discovered here. Many artifacts from Roman times have also been found.
The locality likely formed during the Frankish realm. The name Mombach is thought to come from the Frankish name Muno. The 750-year jubilee commemorates a document from 1256 mentioning the city. However, Mombach is certainly older than that.
During the Thirty Years’ War, French troops advanced to Mainz in 1644. They occupied the left bank of the Rhine in 1688 without declaring war. Imperial forces later reconquered Mainz in 1689 during the War of the Palatinian Succession.
During electoral times, Mombach was surrounded by a wall. Parts of this wall are still visible in old buildings. The Lindenplatz is Mombach’s historical core. Important buildings once surrounded the old tilia. These included the first chapel of Saint Nicholas, the common bakery oven and the schoolhouse.
The first Saint Nicholas church was consecrated in 1703. Mombach became independent from St. Peter. Funds were provided by the vicar of Mainz Cathedral de la Roche. A new municipality and schoolhouse were then erected. In the 18th century, an appreciation for the countryside developed. Mombach benefitted from this trend. The Walderdorfsche Anlage, Kesselstadtsche Anlage and the Rondell were constructed.
In 1792, General Custine abolished the electoral administration. The collegial administration of Mombach by St. Peter was terminated. Mombach was added to French territory after the Treaty of Campo Formio. Préfet Jean Bon Saint-André governed the département of Mont-Tonnerre. He removed the old village gates and some saints’ memorials in Mombach.
After Napoleon’s defeat, the region around Mainz came to the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. Since then, the region has been called Rheinhessen. Mainz became a federal fortress. Many fruit growing areas were converted into military property.
The Waggonfabrik Gebrüder Gastell moved to Mombach in 1845. Large fire processing production sites were no longer allowed within the fortress walls. The site of Count von Walderdorf was chosen. The village got its first railway station in 1859. This boosted rural and industrial production. The founding of a chemical production site in 1856 contributed significantly. Today, it is known as INEOS Paraform.
The first gymnasium and the schoolhouse in the main street were built in 1869. After the Franco-Prussian War, industrialization increased. This fostered immigration of workers’ families. Another railway track led towards Gonsenheim in 1871. There was an additional railway station. In 1885, the population increased to 2822 people.
The industrial port was constructed between 1882 and 1887. It served as a timber rafting port. The boiler and pressure vessel producer Schmahl founded his company in August 1890.
At the start of the 20th century, Mombach got town gas and water supply. A coal gasification plant and a water supply network emerged. The electric tram connected Mombach to Mainz. The most important contemporary gasometer of Germany was in Mombach.
Mombach was incorporated as a suburb of Mainz in 1907. Mainz became a large city with over 100,000 residents. Concurrent with industrial growth came social effects. Mombach, a workers’ suburb, was chosen for a church monument. This monument honored Bishop Wilhelm Emmanuel von Ketteler.
Emperor Wilhelm II often watched military exercises in the Mainz Sand Dunes. These parades took place until 1913. World War I marked another historical break. French troops occupied Mainz again from 1918 to 1930. The economic situation worsened. New barracks were built in 1937. These were named after Hugo von Kathen.
During the bombing of Mainz in World War II, Mombach was subject to air raids. After the war, Mainz lost its properties on the right bank of the Rhine. Mombach became an industrial site. However, Mombach still has a historical core with old houses.
Displays of old coats of arms are no longer seen in Mombach. In the Middle Ages, Mombach belonged to the archbishop of Mainz. In the 14th century, property rights transferred to St. Peter. The colors silver and red may be found in depictions. Around 1500, three rose gold balls were added. These refer to the dowry affair of Saint Nicholas.
The field of the new shield is divided by a cross. The partitions show themes related to Mombach’s history. The partitions relate to the history of the parish.
Mombach offers a blend of history and modern life. Its story is etched in every street. Its resilience shines through its people. Take a moment to appreciate Mombach’s unique charm.