Oppenheim

Understand

Oppenheim is on the Rhine, in the middle between Mainz and Worms. It was granted market rights in 1008, city rights in 1225, and flourished until overrun by Spanish, Swedish and French troops in 1620, 1631 and 1689 respectively. After that it never regained its previous importance and wealth; however, it remains a charming small city with mediaeval flair, proud of its history and its wine — particularly the Krötenbrunnen vineyards, whose fame has reached beyond Germany. Oppenheim once was home to a small Jewish community, the remnants of which were scattered by the atrocities before and during World War II. Several families named Oppenheim or Oppenheimer can be found in the USA and other parts of the world.

Getting there

By train Fast trains (ICE, IC, most RE) won't stop in Oppenheim. Visitors have to take the slow train (S, Stadtbahn). 'S6' runs from Mainz via Oppenheim and Worms to Mannheim (or vice versa) mostly every half an hour, or hourly in the early morning and late evening. If you're coming in from nearby Frankfurt airport then take a train to Mainz first and change there. From Oppenheim's train station it is only a 5-10 minutes walk to the Old Town. (There is a city map across the street in front of the former station building.)

By car The B9 state road connects Oppenheim to Mainz and Worms. Just north of the town is the Nierstein car ferry across the Rhine in the direction of Darmstadt. The B420 provides connections from the A61 and A63.

Getting around

There is no public transportation (the only buses are school buses), but the city, particularly the Old Town, is so small that you can walk everywhere within minutes. City maps are downloadable from Oppenheim's homepage.

See

The Old Town with its marketplace and the Town Hall, just below the church. 1 Saint Catherine’s Church (Katharinenkirche), Katharinenstr. 1, ☏ +49 6133 2381. M-Sa 10:00-17:00, Su 12:00–17:00. Built 1220-1439, often named 'the most outstanding Gothic church on the Rhine between Cologne and Strasbourg'. Some of the stained glass windows are still genuine from the 14th century. Sometimes (mostly Sundays) the church's main tower is open for visitors. If you get a chance, do climb it. The effort of the many stairs is rewarded by a spectacular view of the town. (updated Sep 2022) 2 The Ossuary (Beinhaus) (immediately behind the church). Situated in the lower floor of the Michaelskapelle. Bones of 20,000 people, neatly stacked around 1400-1750, are a creepy view. The golden skull in the center, however, was left there after a TV production. 3 Geschlechterbrunnen (a few steps past the rear gate of St. Catharine's). Renaissance well built 1546. The name and the well's design stem from the three "Geschlechter" (noble houses) Dalberg, Frankenstein and Gemmingen. (updated Sep 2022) 4 St Bartholomäus Church, Kirchstr. 4 (a bit south of the marketplace), ☏ +49 6133 2727. Church building of a former Fanciscan monastery that was founded around 1316(?). After various changes turned into a Catholic church in 1686. (updated Sep 2022) 5 Landskrone Castle (Burg Landskron) (uphill from the Old Town). Ruins of castle built in the 16th century on the remains of an even older (11th century?) castle, destroyed in 1689. Located at the very top you can get a great view of the town and the surrounding countryside. During summer the ruins are sometimes used for theatre performances. If you walk from the ruins past the Ruprechtsturm downstairs to the Clock Tower you might notice a huge chunk of curved brickwork (to the left of a small viewing balcony, nowadays almost completely overgrown). This is a piece of the castle's round main tower. Despite weighing several tons, it was hurled hundreds of

Do

Stroll through the Old Town, enjoy the view from the castle, do a guided underground tour and climb the tower of St Catherine's if you get a chance. Use Oppenheim as a 'base camp' for several beautiful bicycle tours along the river Rhine. However, if you're looking for a wild night life instead, you might have come to the wrong place.

Buy

Various small shops are located in the town center around the marketplace and along 'Mainzer Straße'. For supermarkets look to the south of the town, between Oppenheim and Dienheim.

Eat

1 Weinhöfchen, Merianstraße 7, ☏ +49 6133 571971.

Sleep

1 Merian Hotel, Wormserstr. 2, ☏ +49 6133 94940. 2 Hotel Gold'ne Krone (Restaurant Stivale), Am Markt 4, ☏ +49 6133 94110. There are also a number of holiday apartments to rent; see the town's website.

Go next

Along the Rhine by bicycle, e.g. to Nierstein, Nackenheim or the Kühkopf island near Guntersblum. Nierstein (3 min by train) Nackenheim (7 min by train) Mainz (20 min by train) Worms (20 min by train) Frankfurt Mannheim (1 hour by (slow) train) Darmstadt Heidelberg