Wiesbaden-Frauenstein
Encyclopedia
Frauenstein is the western-most borough
of the city of Wiesbaden
, located in the Rhine Main Area near Frankfurt
and capital of the federal state of Hesse
, Germany
. The borough has a population of approximately 2,400. The formerly independent village was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1928.
The historic village center is located in the south of the borough. In the center of it are the ruins of a medieval castle
, of which the keep
still stands. Known as the "Gateway to the Rheingau
", the historic village is surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards. Around late April and early May, its blooming cherry trees make Frauenstein a popular destination.
to the north and northeast and Schierstein
to the southeast. The town of Schlangenbad
lies to the west. The Schlangenbad borough of Georgenborn
is almost an enclave, bordered to the north, east, and south by Frauenstein.
The historic village center of Frauenstein is situated in a narrow valley formed by two streams, the Lippbach and Katzbach. These are joined by the Erlenbach south of the village center to form the Grorother Bach. The Grorother Bach flows southeast, reaching the Rhine at Schierstein
.
A hill called the Spitzen Stein stands just east of the village center. Other nearby high points include Grauerstein (elevation 339 m) to the northwest and Leierkopf (207 m) to the east. The highest point in Frauenstein is Rotekrauzkopf (elevation 509 m) in the far northwest of the borough. The Frauenstein area is home to a population of the Aesculapian Snake
, a large, non-venomous snake rare to this area of Europe.
) as a lord of Frauenstein Castle. In the year 1231, a document of the Erbach monastery mentions a knight by the name of Siegfried von Frauenstein who was a marshal with the bishopric of Mainz. He was a descendant of an aristocratic Schierstein family (which would become extinct in 1380).
It is not known who built Frauenstein Castle
, but, based on dendrochronological
evidence, its construction has been dated to around 1184. Built on a quartzite outcropping of the Spitzen Stein the castle was not intended as a defensive fortress, but rather as a watch-tower. It also served the tower guards as a dwelling. The construction of the castle with its high walls and battlements gave protection to farmers in the area and led to the emergence of the village of the same name. Later, the castle was extended by a fore-castle with pond, as could be confirmed by excavations in the year 1943.
Around 1300, Siegfried IV von Frauenstein sold part of the castle, along with surrounding property and its serfs, to Gerhard, the Archbishop of Mainz. Gerhard wanted the castle in order to protect the eastern border of his possessions in the Rheingau
against his rival, the Count of Nassau
. In May 1301, forces of King Albert of Austria
fought against Mainz. They captured all of the fortresses, including Frauenstein, and devastated the Rheingau. The castle was soon restored, however.
In 1310 Johann von Limburg also sold his shares of the castle to the Mainz bishopric so that it had gained full control over the castle by the year 1319. Mainz, however, once again sold parts of the castle so that, by 1390, it possessed only half of the castle. The noble co-owners often settled in Frauenstein and built beautiful half-timbered houses which still stand in the village to the present day.
Over the following centuries, the disputes between Mainz and Nassau continued. Nassau was able to prevent Mainz's possessions in the area from growing by encircling the castle with a chain of five fortified farms: Sommerberg, Rosenkoeppel, Nürnberg, Groroth, and Armada. All of these estates, with the exception of Rosenkoeppel, are still preserved today.
In the second half of the 18th century, the castle lost its significance as border security and was no longer maintained. In the Secularization of 1803
, the town was brought under the control of the Count of Nassau and in 1808 the serfs were granted freedom of movement. In 1866, the town - like all of Nassau - came under the control of Prussia
.
and made it an independent parish. The village chapel, built in 1509, was expanded and re-dedicated to St. George and St. Catherine
. After secularization, the church received major artworks from the dissolved monasteries, Eberbach Abbey
and Tiefenthal, including a Baroque altar. A new church was constructed in 1953 perpendicular to the old church.
The Protestant Gustav-Adolf Church was established in 1959.
of the church. The color red is used to characterize Frauenstein's former position as a possession of the Archbishopric of Mainz.
Since 1928, Frauenstein has been incorporated into Wiesbaden. In municipal heraldry, complete portrayal of persons is largely avoided due to convenience and good visibility of the heraldic elements. Therefore, only parts of people are used in the heraldic shield - here, for example, the arm of St. George.
in Wiesbaden, the famous German poet and artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
spent a lunch at the Hof admiring the "splendid view." His visit was commemorated with the Goethestein, a 13.5 m-high stone obelisk
in 1932.
Other well-known estates include the Grorother Hof (established around 1327) and Hof Armada (possibly established as early as c. 1100), both south of the village center, and Schloss Sommerberg (est. 1563) to the west. North of the Grorother Court is the Europa-Wienberg ("Europe-vineyard"), in which are planted various characteristic wine-grape varieties of Europe (described by signs). A mill dating from 1699 also still stands in the southeastern portion of the Gorother Hof estate.
Another famous landmark is the "1000-year old Linden" next to the Catholic Church of St. George and St. Catherine. The fountain in the square in front of the Church is crowned with a figure of St. George. The Falkerscher Hof on Georgstraße and the Schönbornscher Hof on Kirschblütenstraße are well-preserved beautiful half-timbered houses.
The Church of St. George and St. Catherine has hosted concerts of the Rheingau Musik Festival
, such as the ensemble amarcord
.
The distribution of seats in the Ortsbeirat of Frauenstein is as follows:
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of the city of Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden is a city in southwest Germany and the capital of the federal state of Hesse. It has about 275,400 inhabitants, plus approximately 10,000 United States citizens...
, located in the Rhine Main Area near Frankfurt
Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main , commonly known simply as Frankfurt, is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth-largest city in Germany, with a 2010 population of 688,249. The urban area had an estimated population of 2,300,000 in 2010...
and capital of the federal state of Hesse
Hesse
Hesse or Hessia is both a cultural region of Germany and the name of an individual German state.* The cultural region of Hesse includes both the State of Hesse and the area known as Rhenish Hesse in the neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate state...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
. The borough has a population of approximately 2,400. The formerly independent village was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1928.
The historic village center is located in the south of the borough. In the center of it are the ruins of a medieval castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
, of which the keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
still stands. Known as the "Gateway to the Rheingau
Rheingau
The Rheingau is the hill country on the north side of the Rhine River between Wiesbaden and Lorch near Frankfurt, reaching from the western Taunus to the Rhine. It lies in the state of Hesse and is part of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis administrative district...
", the historic village is surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards. Around late April and early May, its blooming cherry trees make Frauenstein a popular destination.
Geographical setting
Frauenstein borders the Wiesbaden boroughs of DotzheimWiesbaden-Dotzheim
Dotzheim is a western borough of Wiesbaden, capital of the state of Hesse, Germany. It is the largest borough of the city by area and, with over 26,000 inhabitants, it is the second-most populated of Wiesbaden's suburban boroughs. It was the largest village in the former Duchy of Nassau...
to the north and northeast and Schierstein
Wiesbaden-Schierstein
Schierstein is a southwestern borough of Wiesbaden, capital of state of Hesse, Germany. First mentioned in historical records in 860, Schierstein was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1926. Today the borough has about 10,000 residents...
to the southeast. The town of Schlangenbad
Schlangenbad
Schlangenbad is a community in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany.- Location :The community, which is a health resort , lies above sea level in a sheltered location on a valley slope on the southern slope of the Taunus from Wiesbaden, from Eltville...
lies to the west. The Schlangenbad borough of Georgenborn
Georgenborn
Georgenborn is a village of 2000 inhabitants in the municipality of Schlangenbad, Germany. The village is located in the Taunus mountains between Schlangenbad and Wiesbaden and was founded in 1694 by Fürst Georg of Nassau-Idstein....
is almost an enclave, bordered to the north, east, and south by Frauenstein.
The historic village center of Frauenstein is situated in a narrow valley formed by two streams, the Lippbach and Katzbach. These are joined by the Erlenbach south of the village center to form the Grorother Bach. The Grorother Bach flows southeast, reaching the Rhine at Schierstein
Wiesbaden-Schierstein
Schierstein is a southwestern borough of Wiesbaden, capital of state of Hesse, Germany. First mentioned in historical records in 860, Schierstein was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1926. Today the borough has about 10,000 residents...
.
A hill called the Spitzen Stein stands just east of the village center. Other nearby high points include Grauerstein (elevation 339 m) to the northwest and Leierkopf (207 m) to the east. The highest point in Frauenstein is Rotekrauzkopf (elevation 509 m) in the far northwest of the borough. The Frauenstein area is home to a population of the Aesculapian Snake
Aesculapian Snake
The Aesculapian Snake is a nonvenomous snake native to Europe.-Description:They hatch at around 30 cm and average at around 110 cm but can grow up to 200 cm . They are dark, long, slender, and shiny...
, a large, non-venomous snake rare to this area of Europe.
History
While the German name Frauen-Stein can be translated "women's stone", it actually derives from Vrowenstein, a name which first appears in the historical record in 1221. In that year, a deed names a Heinrich Bodo von Vrowenstein (in 1207/1209, he was mentioned as being from IdsteinIdstein
Idstein is a town of about 25,000 inhabitants in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in the Regierungsbezirk of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany. Because of its well preserved historical Altstadt it is part of the Deutsche Fachwerkstraße , connecting towns with fine timber-frame buildings and...
) as a lord of Frauenstein Castle. In the year 1231, a document of the Erbach monastery mentions a knight by the name of Siegfried von Frauenstein who was a marshal with the bishopric of Mainz. He was a descendant of an aristocratic Schierstein family (which would become extinct in 1380).
It is not known who built Frauenstein Castle
Burg Frauenstein (Wiesbaden)
The Burg Frauenstein is a ruined castle in the town of Wiesbaden-Frauenstein in Hesse, Germany.It is not known who built Frauenstein Castle, but, based on dendrochronological evidence, its construction has been dated to around 1184. Built on a quartzite outcropping of the Spitzen Stein the castle...
, but, based on dendrochronological
Dendrochronology
Dendrochronology or tree-ring dating is the scientific method of dating based on the analysis of patterns of tree-rings. Dendrochronology can date the time at which tree rings were formed, in many types of wood, to the exact calendar year...
evidence, its construction has been dated to around 1184. Built on a quartzite outcropping of the Spitzen Stein the castle was not intended as a defensive fortress, but rather as a watch-tower. It also served the tower guards as a dwelling. The construction of the castle with its high walls and battlements gave protection to farmers in the area and led to the emergence of the village of the same name. Later, the castle was extended by a fore-castle with pond, as could be confirmed by excavations in the year 1943.
Around 1300, Siegfried IV von Frauenstein sold part of the castle, along with surrounding property and its serfs, to Gerhard, the Archbishop of Mainz. Gerhard wanted the castle in order to protect the eastern border of his possessions in the Rheingau
Rheingau
The Rheingau is the hill country on the north side of the Rhine River between Wiesbaden and Lorch near Frankfurt, reaching from the western Taunus to the Rhine. It lies in the state of Hesse and is part of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis administrative district...
against his rival, the Count of Nassau
Nassau (state)
Nassau was a German state within the Holy Roman Empire and later in the German Confederation. Its ruling dynasty, now extinct in male line, was the House of Nassau.-Origins:...
. In May 1301, forces of King Albert of Austria
Albert I of Germany
Albert I of Habsburg was King of the Romans and Duke of Austria, the eldest son of German King Rudolph I of Habsburg and his first wife Gertrude of Hohenburg.-Life:...
fought against Mainz. They captured all of the fortresses, including Frauenstein, and devastated the Rheingau. The castle was soon restored, however.
In 1310 Johann von Limburg also sold his shares of the castle to the Mainz bishopric so that it had gained full control over the castle by the year 1319. Mainz, however, once again sold parts of the castle so that, by 1390, it possessed only half of the castle. The noble co-owners often settled in Frauenstein and built beautiful half-timbered houses which still stand in the village to the present day.
Over the following centuries, the disputes between Mainz and Nassau continued. Nassau was able to prevent Mainz's possessions in the area from growing by encircling the castle with a chain of five fortified farms: Sommerberg, Rosenkoeppel, Nürnberg, Groroth, and Armada. All of these estates, with the exception of Rosenkoeppel, are still preserved today.
In the second half of the 18th century, the castle lost its significance as border security and was no longer maintained. In the Secularization of 1803
German Mediatisation
The German Mediatisation was the series of mediatisations and secularisations that occurred in Germany between 1795 and 1814, during the latter part of the era of the French Revolution and then the Napoleonic Era....
, the town was brought under the control of the Count of Nassau and in 1808 the serfs were granted freedom of movement. In 1866, the town - like all of Nassau - came under the control of Prussia
Prussia
Prussia was a German kingdom and historic state originating out of the Duchy of Prussia and the Margraviate of Brandenburg. For centuries, the House of Hohenzollern ruled Prussia, successfully expanding its size by way of an unusually well-organized and effective army. Prussia shaped the history...
.
Religious Life
In 1544, the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Mainz removed Frauenstein from under its parent community of SchiersteinWiesbaden-Schierstein
Schierstein is a southwestern borough of Wiesbaden, capital of state of Hesse, Germany. First mentioned in historical records in 860, Schierstein was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1926. Today the borough has about 10,000 residents...
and made it an independent parish. The village chapel, built in 1509, was expanded and re-dedicated to St. George and St. Catherine
Catherine of Alexandria
Saint Catherine of Alexandria, also known as Saint Catherine of the Wheel and The Great Martyr Saint Catherine is, according to tradition, a Christian saint and virgin, who was martyred in the early 4th century at the hands of the pagan emperor Maxentius...
. After secularization, the church received major artworks from the dissolved monasteries, Eberbach Abbey
Eberbach Abbey
Eberbach Abbey is a former Cistercian monastery near Eltville am Rhein in the Rheingau, Germany. On account of its impressive Romanesque and early Gothic buildings it is considered one of the most significant architectural heritage sites in Hesse, Germany...
and Tiefenthal, including a Baroque altar. A new church was constructed in 1953 perpendicular to the old church.
The Protestant Gustav-Adolf Church was established in 1959.
Coat of arms
The present coat of arms of Frauenstein was officially approved in 1951 by the Wiesbaden City Council. It was derived from two old court seals, the SIGILLU(M) IVDICII VALIS FRAVWE(N)STEIN (with prints dating from 1545 to 1668) and another with prints dating from 1727 to 1791. Both seals are depictions of the legendary battle of St. George and the Dragon. St. George a patron saintPatron saint
A patron saint is a saint who is regarded as the intercessor and advocate in heaven of a nation, place, craft, activity, class, clan, family, or person...
of the church. The color red is used to characterize Frauenstein's former position as a possession of the Archbishopric of Mainz.
Since 1928, Frauenstein has been incorporated into Wiesbaden. In municipal heraldry, complete portrayal of persons is largely avoided due to convenience and good visibility of the heraldic elements. Therefore, only parts of people are used in the heraldic shield - here, for example, the arm of St. George.
Attractions
On a hill above the town stands the Nürnberger Hof, a former military outpost built by the Count of Nassau in the 14th century. Now owned by the city of Wiesbaden, it has been leased by the Becker family since 1939, who have operated a wine bar there since 1949. In June 1815, during a curative visit to the spasSpas
The article is about localities in Eastern Europe.Spas in the Slavic languages means saviour and past-tense of to save ....
in Wiesbaden, the famous German poet and artist Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe was a German writer, pictorial artist, biologist, theoretical physicist, and polymath. He is considered the supreme genius of modern German literature. His works span the fields of poetry, drama, prose, philosophy, and science. His Faust has been called the greatest long...
spent a lunch at the Hof admiring the "splendid view." His visit was commemorated with the Goethestein, a 13.5 m-high stone obelisk
Obelisk
An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top, and is said to resemble a petrified ray of the sun-disk. A pair of obelisks usually stood in front of a pylon...
in 1932.
Other well-known estates include the Grorother Hof (established around 1327) and Hof Armada (possibly established as early as c. 1100), both south of the village center, and Schloss Sommerberg (est. 1563) to the west. North of the Grorother Court is the Europa-Wienberg ("Europe-vineyard"), in which are planted various characteristic wine-grape varieties of Europe (described by signs). A mill dating from 1699 also still stands in the southeastern portion of the Gorother Hof estate.
Another famous landmark is the "1000-year old Linden" next to the Catholic Church of St. George and St. Catherine. The fountain in the square in front of the Church is crowned with a figure of St. George. The Falkerscher Hof on Georgstraße and the Schönbornscher Hof on Kirschblütenstraße are well-preserved beautiful half-timbered houses.
The Church of St. George and St. Catherine has hosted concerts of the Rheingau Musik Festival
Rheingau Musik Festival
The Rheingau Musik Festival is an international summer music festival in Germany, founded in 1987. It is mostly for classical music, but includes other genres...
, such as the ensemble amarcord
Ensemble amarcord
The ensemble amarcord is a German male classical vocal ensemble based in Leipzig, founded in 1992 by five former members of the Thomanerchor. Their focus is Medieval music, Renaissance music and the collaboration with contemporary composers.- Singers :...
.
Politics
Election results for representatives to the borough assembly (Ortsbeirat) of Frauenstein are given in the following table (expressed in percent):| Christian Democratic Union Christian Democratic Union (Germany) The Christian Democratic Union of Germany is a Christian democratic and conservative political party in Germany. It is regarded as on the centre-right of the German political spectrum... |
Social Democratic Party Social Democratic Party of Germany The Social Democratic Party of Germany is a social-democratic political party in Germany... |
Free Democratic Party Free Democratic Party (Germany) The Free Democratic Party , abbreviated to FDP, is a centre-right classical liberal political party in Germany. It is led by Philipp Rösler and currently serves as the junior coalition partner to the Union in the German federal government... |
Voter Turnout | |
| 2006 | 42.4 | 57.6 | --- | 54.7 |
| 2001 | 42.4 | 57.6 | --- | 65.2 |
| 1997 | 38.5 | 61.5 | --- | 76.4 |
| 1993 | 38.6 | 54.8 | 6.6 | 76.1 |
| 1989 | 35.8 | 57.7 | 6.5 | 84.1 |
| 1985 | 42.4 | 54.1 | 3.5 | 84.2 |
| 1981 | 42.7 | 55.9 | 1.4 | 84.0 |
| 1977 | 47.1 | 51.4 | 1.5 | 87.7 |
| 1972 | 43.1 | 54.1 | 2.8 | 88.1 |
The distribution of seats in the Ortsbeirat of Frauenstein is as follows:
| CDU | SPD | Total | |
| 2006 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 2001 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1997 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1993 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1989 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1985 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1981 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1977 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
| 1972 | 3 | 4 | 7 |
External links
- Frauenstein on the City of Wiesbaden official website (in German)
- Frauenstein in Pictures (in German)
- Frauenstein Castle (in German)
- Weindorf Frauenstein