ベヒトルスハイムの天然記念物・トップ20

The renaturalized Selz River near Schafhausen is a prime example of successful nature conservation in Rheinhessen. This section of the Selz River south of Alzey-Schafhausen has undergone extensive ecological enhancement in recent years – and you'll notice this immediately when you walk along it.

Really wonderful renaturation. There are lots of places to sit and watch waterfowl.

Nature is taking back bit by bit!

Sandstone quarry near Flonheim

Zornheim is the perfect detour if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Mainz. Right at the beginning of the Hiwweltour Zornheimer Berg, the Ruhkreuz awaits with a real surprise. The Frankfurt skyline is very visible on a clear day and shows how close Rheinhessen is to the Rhein-Main area. If you prefer not to see any skyscrapers, just turn around and look at the renatured Selz and the endless Reebenmeer. It is not for nothing that the Ruhkreuz near Zornheim was voted the "Most Beautiful Wine View 2020" this year. Definitely plan a trip to the place. The Lindenplatz with the Three Graces fountain and the church is one of the most beautiful squares in Rheinhessen.

The Hauck'sche quarry is one of 16 sandstone quarries in the Flonheim area. The emergence of the Flonheim sandstone goes back to the time of the "Rotliegend" approx. 290 million years ago. The light yellow color, partly interspersed with dark brown and black iron rinds (limonite), gives the Flonheim sandstone its unique appearance. The Flonheim sandstone was already quarried by the Romans and probably used for country houses, temples and tombstones. Excavations at the former Roman fort in Alzey bear witness to this. Over the centuries, the sandstone was used for numerous buildings in Flonheim, e.g. for the former Augustinian monastery, the defensive wall and the historic town hall. However, the Flonheimer sandstone was not only a popular building material in Flonheim, but throughout the entire region. The stonemason trade reached its peak in the 17th and 18th centuries. You can still admire this today in the magnificent baroque inns and town houses with their unique door portals. The evangelical market church and the bear pharmacy bear witness to a second boom in the sandstone industry around the turn of the century (1900). Flonheim sandstone was also used in the construction of Cologne Cathedral in the 19th century.

Beautiful view from the Toad Fountain over the vines to Oppenheim.

From the Ruhkreuz you can gaze far into the distance. You can see the Feldberg in the Taunus, the Frankfurt skyline, the Odenwald, the Donnersberg and the Hunsrück. The Rheinhessen flag also flies at this central vantage point.