Traces in the paving: the ‘Historical Culture Mile’ links tourist attractions

Diamond-shaped bronze floor markings, laid into the paving at intervals of around 50 metres, show the way from the railway station through the ‘Neue Mitte’ to the Kaiserpfalz Archaeological Zone. The bronze elements, marked with a logo in the shape of a capital, invite visitors to explore the town and its history on foot, from antiquity to the present day.

The Historical Culture Mile is a joint project between Ingelheimer Kultur und Marketing GmbH (IkUM) and the Kaiserpfalz Research Centre. It fills a gap in the tourist route network and connects the railway station and the town centre with the Kaiserpfalz Archaeological Zone over a distance of around 1.5 kilometres. The new route is designed to refer to and complement existing signage systems – such as the Historical Circular Walk. The route is signposted in both directions. The first bronze markers are located at the respective starting points – at the railway station and in the Kaiserpfalz area – where there is also an information board at each location, combining information on culture and history with details of shopping and dining options.

The route of the Cultural Mile follows a historic axis that has linked Mainz and Bingen directly since Roman times. Along the route, visitors can explore significant sights and tourist attractions such as the Kaiserpfalz Archaeological Zone, the museum at the Kaiserpfalz, St Remigius Church, the Ingelheim Wine Cellar with its tourist information centre, the kING Culture and Congress Hall, and the ‘Neue Mitte’ city centre.

Those wishing to delve deeper into history can use the accompanying web app, which can be accessed via QR codes along the route. It provides additional information, audio plays and multimedia content directly on site. The app also offers tourist information and booking options.

To coincide with the opening of the Historical Culture Mile, the special exhibition ‘Palace – Ruins – Monument: 25 Years of the Imperial Palace Archaeological Zone’ is launching at the Imperial Palace. The occasion marks a special anniversary: on 19 August 2001, Charlemagne’s Throne Hall (Aula regia) was opened to the public for the first time. It was the first monument in the Archaeological Zone to be opened to visitors. In the years that followed, the residential quarters were restored and the archaeological excavations at the Heidesheimer Gate continued, amongst other projects. The special exhibition traces the transformation of the Imperial Palace from a medieval royal palace, through its ruins, to the important monument it is today. This is illustrated through information panels and digital content accessible via QR codes.

To mark the launch of the Historical Culture Mile, free inaugural guided tours will be offered on Saturday 22 August and Saturday 29 August, starting at 3 pm and 4 pm respectively. Registration is required by emailing kaiserpfalz@ingelheim.de.