Wiesbaden-Schierstein
| Schierstein | ||
|---|---|---|
| Borough of Wiesbaden | ||
Schierstein Rathaus
|
||
|
||
 Schierstein
|
||
|
Location of Schierstein in Wiesbaden
 |
||
| Coordinates: 50°2′40″N 8°11′50″E / 50.04444°N 8.19722°ECoordinates: 50°2′40″N 8°11′50″E / 50.04444°N 8.19722°E | ||
| Country | Germany | |
| State | Hesse | |
| District | Urban district | |
| City | Wiesbaden | |
| Government | ||
| • Director of Borough | Urban Egert (SPD) | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 9.43 km2 (3.64 sq mi) | |
| Population (30.06.2008) | ||
| • Total | 10,119 | |
| • Density | 1,100/km2 (2,800/sq mi) | |
| Time zone | CET/CEST (UTC+1/+2) | |
| Postal codes | 65201 | |
| Dialling codes | 0611 | |
| Vehicle registration | WI | |
Schierstein is a southwestern borough of Wiesbaden, capital of state of Hesse, Germany. First mentioned in historical records in 860, Schierstein was incorporated into Wiesbaden in 1926. Today the borough has about 10,000 residents. Situated on the Rhine River, Schierstein is known as the "Gateway to the Rheingau."
Before about 2000 years ago, a small Germanic settlement was located north of present-day Schierstein. The inhabitants lived on fishing and hunting. The course of the Rhine at this time extended to the edge of the forest. Here there was a large lake, which extended as far west as the Binger Loch (near Bingen am Rhein). Sand deposits and other evidence indicates that this lake extended as far north as Blierweg (near Autobahn A-66), Nußberg, and Freudenberg. Over the centuries, the channel at Binger Loch grew deeper and consequently the water level and area of the lake decreased. The dry land soon attracted the first settlers to present-day Schierstein.
By that time, the Roman Empire was expanding north, building fortresses beyond the Rhine. A colony of soldiers was established in Schierstein which served as an advanced guard. The colony was established north of the present Schierstein railway station, as shown by archeological finds of bronze, stone, horn and clay discovered there. Also found from this period was a giant Jovian pillar. Such columns were often erected by Roman landowners to show that their property stood under the protection of the deity. The Schiersteiner pillar is completely preserved. It clearly depicts a Germanic view of Jupiter, as a flying rider modelled after the Germanic god Wotan.
Roman rule in Schierstein lasted for almost three and a half centuries. Then the Franks settled in the Rhine Valley. To better manage the Frankish Empire, Charlemagne divided his kingdom into individual "Gaue". Schierstein belonged to Königssondergau, which stretched from Walluf to Kriftel. The region west of Schierstein received its current name of "Rheingau".
...
Wikipedia