Drais
| Drais | ||
|---|---|---|
| Stadtteil of Mainz | ||
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 Drais
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| Coordinates: 49°58′30″N 8°11′30″E / 49.97500°N 8.19167°ECoordinates: 49°58′30″N 8°11′30″E / 49.97500°N 8.19167°E | ||
| Country | Germany | |
| State | Rhineland-Palatinate | |
| District | Urban district | |
| City | Mainz | |
| Founded | 24 August 1149 | |
| Government | ||
| • Local representative | Norbert Solbach (CDU) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 3.1 km2 (1.2 sq mi) | |
| Population (2009-09-30) | ||
| • Total | 3,081 | |
| • Density | 990/km2 (2,600/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) | |
| Postal codes | 55127 | |
| Dialling codes | 06131 | |
| Vehicle registration | MZ | |
| Website | Drais.info Drais on Mainz.de | |
Mainz-Drais (Drais) is a borough in the western part of Mainz. The village was suburbanised by the City of Mainz in 1969, and is now its smallest subdivision, with just over 3,000 permanent residents.
Drais is located atop a hill overlooking Mainz and the Rhine Valley. The village of Drais has maintained it's historical boundaries, and is surrounded by apple, plum and strawberry orchards.
Drais is surrounded by the larger more urban Mainz sub divisions of Finthen, Bretzenheim, Gonsenheim and Lerchenberg.
The earliest traces of settlement in the current location of Drais dates back to around 850–450 BC. A permanent settlement would only come around the year 1000 AD with the clearing of the Ancient Olm Forest. Drais was officially recognized by King Conrad III of Germany on 24 August 1149 under the name 'Treise'. Throughout the Middle ages Drais belonged to the Archbishopric of Mainz under the direction of the office of Olm.
During the Thirty Years' War, Drais as well as many other villages, towns and cities in the region suffered greatly. In 1620 Drais was sacked and plundered by the General Ambrogio Spinola during his campaign in the lower Palatinate. Several years later, as a result of the Battle of Breitenfeld Drais was occupied by Swedish forces from 1631 till 1635.
In 1792 during the French Revolution, the French Revolutionary Army took over Mainz and the surrounding areas. With the support of 130 German towns and villages, the French proclaimed the founding of the independent Republic of Mainz. As this did not sit well with the Kingdom of Prussia which was seeking to maintain its control of trade on the Rhine River, Prussian troops were immediately dispatched to lay siege to Mainz. During the 18-week Siege, Prussian troops occupied Drais. On 23 July 1793 the French surrendered Mainz.
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Wikipedia