Circular route Kaiserpfalz
The Kaiserpfalz historical circular route will help you find your way around the Kaiserpfalz archaeological zone. The circular route takes you to all points of historical interest where the history of the palace can be traced. The stations are colour-coded according to the five building phases of the Palatinate’s history. For each construction phase, there is a special information point with detailed information on site.
Information about the circular route is available in printed form as a brochure from the Visitor Centre and Museum at the Kaiserpfalz. The circular route booklet is also available as a PDF. Alternatively, you can download the Kaiserpfalz app from the AppStore or Play Store. The app also offers audio texts, picture galleries and digital reconstructions of the Palatinate.
Exterior northern wing
The so-called northern wing, the largest building in the Carolingian palace, was located at this exposed site.
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Water pipeline
A water basin from the first construction phase of the palace, i.e. from the late 8th century, is located here.
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Northern wing interiors
The north tract consisted of the north wing and a hall building attached to it at right angles. The building complex had a total length of almost 77 m.
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Tri-Apsidal Church
The remains of the first Carolingian church building in the core district of the Carolingian palace can be found here under today's pavement.
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Semi-circular building "Heidesheim Gate"
The 89 metre wide semi-circular building was the most striking building in Charlemagne's palace and gave it its unmistakable layout.
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Fountain
A fountain shaft lies beneath the pavement at this point. It was created at the intersection of the longitudinal and transverse axis of the palace.
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Aula regia
The Aula regia (Throne hall) was one of the largest buildings in the palace. It served as a representative meeting place for the ruler.
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St Remigius' Church
St Remigius' Church was built in the Merovingian period, well before construction of the Carolingian palace began.
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Saalkirche
Older research saw the Saalkirche as Charlemagne's palace church. However, it was not built until the 11th or 12th century.
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Moat
Around the middle of the 12th century, a large moat (16 m wide, over 5 m deep) was constructed on the outside of the semi-circular building.
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Water pipeline outside
A small section of the long-distance water pipeline was uncovered on the Heidesheimer Weg between Ingelheim and the neighbouring village of Wackernheim.
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Defence wall "Heidesheim Gate"
Two construction phases overlap here: the semi-circular building of Charlemagne's palace and a defence wall from the Staufer period, the so-called "Heidesheim Gate".
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Heating system
The shelter construction houses an exceptionally well-preserved heating system from around 1200.
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Defence tower "Bolander"
This defence tower was probably built around 1160 in the course of the renovation and defensive expansion of the palace, together with the defensive wall and a defensive moat.
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"Zuckerberg Gate"
The "Zuckerberg Gate" formed a small passageway through the defence wall and is still the only gate of the Staufer fortifications that can be reliably traced.
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Defence wall
Parts of the defence wall that surrounded the palace from the 12th century onwards have been preserved in many parts of the imperial palace area.
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Staufer and citizens theme house
From the 16th century, the manorial building was transformed into a settlement area for the citizens of Ingelheim, who from then on settled in and around the palace.
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Search for traces
Throughout the Archaeological Zone Kaiserpfalz, the former layout of the medieval palace can be seen through markings in the pavement.
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Fountain path
The fountain path originally ran along the outside of the medieval defence wall. Today, only a small section remains.
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Administration portal
The door frame of the private property at Zuckerberg 26 probably belonged to the "Schaffnerei", which is the seat of a palace administrator.
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Jewish cemetery
A gate at this point leads to the grounds of a modern Jewish cemetery.
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