Kiedrich is a municipality in the

Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis Rheingau-Taunus is a Kreis (Districts of Germany, district) in the west of Hesse, Germany. Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis is part of the Darmstadt (region), Darmstadt region; its main administrative seat is Bad Schwalbach. Outposted sections of the local ad ...

in the ''

Regierungsbezirk A ' (, 'governmental district') is a type of administrative division in Germany. Currently, four of sixteen ' (states of Germany) are split into '. Beneath these are rural and urban districts ' (plural, ) serve as regional mid-level local gov ...

'' of

Darmstadt Darmstadt () is a city in the States of Germany, state of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Frankfurt Rhine Main Area, Rhine-Main-Area (Frankfurt Metropolitan Region). Darmstadt has around 160,000 inhabitants, making it the ...

Hesse Hesse or Hessen ( ), officially the State of Hesse (), is a States of Germany, state in Germany. Its capital city is Wiesbaden, and the largest urban area is Frankfurt, which is also the country's principal financial centre. Two other major hist ...

, Germany.

Geography

Kiedrich lies in the

Rheingau The Rheingau (; ) is a region on the northern side of the Rhine between the German towns of Wiesbaden and Lorch, Hesse, Lorch near Frankfurt, reaching from the Western Taunus to the Rhine. It is situated in the German state of Hesse and is part ...

region on the southern slope of the

Taunus The Taunus () is a mountain range in Hesse and Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, located north west of Frankfurt and north of Wiesbaden. The tallest peak in the range is '' Großer Feldberg'' at 878 m; other notable peaks are '' Kleiner Feldberg' ...

mountains, approximately 2 km north of the town of

Eltville am Rhein Eltville am Rhein (; from ''Alta Villa'', Latin for "high estate, high town", corrupted to ''Eldeville'', ''Elfeld'' and later Eltville ) is a town in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in the ''Regierungsbezirk'' of Darmstadt (region), Darmstadt in Hesse, ...

and 3 km from the banks of the

Rhine The Rhine ( ) is one of the List of rivers of Europe, major rivers in Europe. The river begins in the Swiss canton of Graubünden in the southeastern Swiss Alps. It forms part of the Swiss-Liechtenstein border, then part of the Austria–Swit ...

. It borders the community of Schlangenbad to the north and the town of

Eltville Eltville am Rhein (; from ''Alta Villa'', Latin for "high estate, high town", corrupted to ''Eldeville'', ''Elfeld'' and later Eltville ) is a town in the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis in the ''Regierungsbezirk'' of Darmstadt in Hesse, Germany. It lies on ...

in the east, south, and west.

History

Kiedrich was first mentioned in a document from the

Archbishopric of Mainz The Electorate of Mainz ( or '; ), previously known in English as Mentz and by its French name Mayence, was one of the most prestigious and influential states of the Holy Roman Empire. In the hierarchy of the Catholic Church, the Archbishop-Elec ...

, which, though undated, is known to have originated during the tenure of Archbishop

Frederick Frederick may refer to: People * Frederick (given name), the name Given name Nobility = Anhalt-Harzgerode = * Frederick, Prince of Anhalt-Harzgerode (1613–1670) = Austria = * Frederick I, Duke of Austria (Babenberg), Duke of Austria fro ...

(937-954). Around 1160, construction began on Scharfenstein Castle.

Winegrowing Viticulture (, "vine-growing"), viniculture (, "wine-growing"), or winegrowing is the cultivation and harvesting of grapes. It is a branch of the science of horticulture. While the native territory of ''Vitis vinifera'', the common grape vine, ...

in Kiedrich was recorded as early as 1131. Kiedrich was part of Electoral Mainz (the Archbishopric) and passed to the

Duchy of Nassau The Duchy of Nassau (German language, German: ''Herzogtum Nassau'') was an independent state between 1806 and 1866, located in what became the Germany, German states of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse. It was a States of the Confederation of th ...

in 1806. In 1866, it was incorporated into

Prussia Prussia (; ; Old Prussian: ''Prūsija'') was a Germans, German state centred on the North European Plain that originated from the 1525 secularization of the Prussia (region), Prussian part of the State of the Teutonic Order. For centuries, ...

. The community avoided amalgamation with other municipalities during Hesse's municipal restructuring.

Government

Through political activities in the three Kiedrich active parties (SPD, CDU, FDP), Kiedrichers have been involved with the framework of the local

Agenda 21 Agenda 21 is a non-binding action plan of the United Nations with regard to sustainable development. It is a product of the Earth Summit (UN Conference on Environment and Development) held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 1992. It is an action ag ...

. The office of mayor in Kiedrich is currently held by Winfried Steinmacher (SPD), who was directly elected through the

first vote In Germany, the first vote (German language, German: ''Erststimme'') is used to elect a Direct mandate, direct candidate in a Electoral district, constituency. In the Federal states of Germany, federal states, the first vote is sometimes called the ...

system in November 2005, with 77.7% of the vote.

Election results

Results of the municipal election held on 26 March 2006:

Culture

Kiedrich-St Valentinus von Suedosten-20120729

Kiedrich-Kirchenbezirk der kath Pfarrkirche St Dionysius und Valentinus

Music

The

organ Organ and organs may refer to: Biology * Organ (biology), a group of tissues organized to serve a common function * Organ system, a collection of organs that function together to carry out specific functions within the body. Musical instruments ...

in the

parish church A parish church (or parochial church) in Christianity is the Church (building), church which acts as the religious centre of a parish. In many parts of the world, especially in rural areas, the parish church may play a significant role in com ...

, with approximately 950 pipes, dates from the Late Gothic period, and is one of Germany’s oldest playable organs. The choir of boys and men (lately including girls), the Kiedricher Chorbuben, has, according to documents, been practicing a special Mainz choral dialect of liturgical Latin

plainsong Plainsong or plainchant (calque from the French ; ) is a body of chants used in the liturgies of the Western Church. When referring to the term plainsong, it is those sacred pieces that are composed in Latin text. Plainsong was the exclusive for ...

at services since 1333 dialect – the dialect is only preserved here. The choir performs a Latin

mass Mass is an Intrinsic and extrinsic properties, intrinsic property of a physical body, body. It was traditionally believed to be related to the physical quantity, quantity of matter in a body, until the discovery of the atom and particle physi ...

most Sundays except during school vacations. Countertenor

Andreas Scholl Andreas Scholl (born 10 November 1967) is a German countertenor, a male classical singer in the alto vocal range, specialising in Baroque music. Born into a family of singers, Scholl was enrolled at the age of seven into the Kiedricher Chorbube ...

was a member of the choir, his sister Elisabeth Scholl was the first girl to be accepted. The oldest bell dates from 1389. The

Gothic architecture Gothic architecture is an architectural style that was prevalent in Europe from the late 12th to the 16th century, during the High Middle Ages, High and Late Middle Ages, surviving into the 17th and 18th centuries in some areas. It evolved f ...

of the building is accompanied by the sound of that period in music and bells.

Events

* ''Champagnerfest'' (first Sunday in June, organizer: ''Freundschaftsbund Kiedrich-Hautvillers'') * ''Hahnwaldlauf'' (walk, early July, organizer: ''Turnerschaft Kiedrich'') * ''Adventsbasar'' (first day in Advent, organizer: local SPD club) * ''Schnorrerrallye'' (Thursday before

Ash Wednesday Ash Wednesday is a holy day of prayer and fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It is preceded by Shrove Tuesday and marks the first day of Lent: the seven weeks of Christian prayer, prayer, Religious fasting#Christianity, fasting and ...

, organizer: ''Kiedricher Carneval Verein Sprudelfunken'') * ''Rosenmontagszug'' (parade,

Shrove Monday Shrove Monday (also known as Collopy Monday, Rose Monday, Merry Monday or Hall Monday) is part of the Shrovetide or Carnival observances and celebrations of the week before Lent, following Quinquagesima or Shrove Sunday and preceding Shrove Tuesd ...

, organizer: ''Kiedricher Carneval Verein Sprudelfunken'') * ''Mundartmatinée'' (first Sunday in August, organizer: Community of Kiedrich) *

Rheingau Musik Festival The (RMF) is an international summer music festival in Germany, founded in 1987. It is mostly for classical music, but includes other genres. Concerts take place at culturally important locations, such as Eberbach Abbey and Schloss Johannisberg, ...

, usually a concert of sacred music in the church and a concert at Weingut Robert WeilWinery Robert Weil
on the Rheingau Musik Festival website (German/English) * ''Rieslingfest'' (Now in September (used to be June), organizer: ''Ausschuss Kiedricher Rieslingfest'')

Landmarks

Owing to its Gothic churches, Kiedrich is also called ''Schatzkästlein der Gotik'' ("Little Treasure Chest of Gothic"). Landmarks are: * The Catholic pilgrimage church consecrated to Saint Valentine – completed in 1493 – and the neighbouring Saint Michael's Chapel (Michaelskapelle) from 1444 with its

ossuary An ossuary is a chest, box, building, well, or site made to serve as the final resting place of human skeletal remains. They are frequently used where burial space is scarce. A body is first buried in a temporary grave, then after some years th ...

and large two-sided candlestick

Madonna Madonna Louise Ciccone ( ; born August 16, 1958) is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Referred to as the "Queen of Pop", she has been recognized for her continual reinvention and versatility in music production, ...

(from about 1520) * the

Renaissance The Renaissance ( , ) is a Periodization, period of history and a European cultural movement covering the 15th and 16th centuries. It marked the transition from the Middle Ages to modernity and was characterized by an effort to revive and sur ...

Town Hall dating from 1585 * at the churchyard wall is the oldest market well in the Rheingau, from 1541, with the coats of arms of Kiedrich and the old Mainz overlord, Elector and Cardinal Albrecht von Brandenburg. * Burg Scharfenstein (castle, built about 1160, and in ruins since the 16th century) was part of Archiepiscopal Mainz's border fortifications. The tower (keep), which is still standing, with the Wheels of Mainz, has been borne as an

emblem An emblem is an abstract art, abstract or representational pictorial image that represents a concept, like a moral truth, or an allegory, or a person, like a monarch or saint. Emblems vs. symbols Although the words ''emblem'' and ''symbol'' ...

in the community seal from the time of the oldest known court seal of about 1420. * The house of benefactor and patron Sir John Sutton's (1820–1873), which today is the Weil wine estate. * Virchow-Quelle ( spring), a 24° lithium-laden beneficial salt spring.

Twinning

* Hautvillers,

Marne Marne can refer to: Places France *Marne (river), a tributary of the Seine *Marne (department), a département in northeastern France named after the river * La Marne, a commune in western France *Marne, a legislative constituency (France) Nethe ...

France France, officially the French Republic, is a country located primarily in Western Europe. Overseas France, Its overseas regions and territories include French Guiana in South America, Saint Pierre and Miquelon in the Atlantic Ocean#North Atlan ...

since 1981

Economy

Winegrowing

High-grade wines are grown in Kiedrich. The vineyards (or 'Weinlagen') Gräfenberg, Wasseros, Klosterberg, Sandgrub and Turmberg, and the larger winegrowing area ('Großlage') Heiligenstock are said to be the Rheingau's top wines. The Kiedrich winemakers’ winegrowing tradition originates in the year 1480, when wine was already being grown by the winemaker's house that is still exists today, under the name 'Adelsgut Langenhof'. The local winemakers’ cooperative has existed since 1893, making it the oldest in the Rheingau.

Public institutions

St Valentinushaus, psychiatric hospital founded in 1884, today also a nursing home.

Education

* Chorschule neben der Kirche, school endowed by Sir John Sutton in 1865 for vocal training and promotion of plainsong * John-Sutton-Schule,

primary school A primary school (in Ireland, India, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, South Africa, and Singapore), elementary school, or grade school (in North America and the Philippines) is a school for primary ...

of the Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis: Jena plan school * Integrative Kindertagesstätten "Hickelhäusje" und "St. Valentin": "wood" group * secondary schools in Eltville am Rhein, Geisenheim and Wiesbaden.

Notable people

* John Sutton (1820–1873), patron and endower of the choral school (1865) *Anton Raky, oil drilling pioneer, grew up in Kiedrich and developed a special boring bit during his apprenticeship *Gerson Stern, writer, lived from 1920 to 1937 in Kiedrich and wrote his novel ''Weg ohne Ende'' (1934) here. *

, countertenor, former Kiedrich choirboy (Kiedricher Chorbube), Kiedrich citizen * Elisabeth Scholl, soprano, sister of Andreas Scholl, the first girl accepted in the boys choir ''Kiedricher Chorbuben'' *Peter Grebert (1824-1895), businessman and wine grower, contributed to the establishment of a white wine tradition in Australia's

Hunter Valley Wine The Hunter Valley is one of Australian wine, Australia's List of wine-producing regions#Australia, wine regions. Located in the state of New South Wales wine, New South Wales and first cultivated in the early 19th century, it was one of the firs ...

region.

References

External links

*
Community’s official webpage

Timeline and information on local history
{{Authority control Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis Rheingau