Gau-Bickelheim: Wine Village at the Foot of the Wißberg

Gau-Bickelheim combines winegrowing in Rheinhessen with a distinctive landscape and a local history reflected in its squares and sacred buildings. The village lies at the foot of the Wißberg, from where views stretch across the rolling hills of Rheinhessen. At 271 metres, the Wißberg is considered the second-highest elevation in Rheinhessen. This gives Gau-Bickelheim a distinctive focus when planning a trip. The wider Alzey-Worms destination offers additional museum, cultural and landscape attractions.

The Wißberg, Market Square and Local History

Am Römer, the historic market square, has retained much of its traditional appearance. The town hall and the vaulted Römerkeller are part of this townscape. St. Martin’s parish church also tells of a different phase of construction: it was built between 1845 and 1853. These three landmarks show different facets of local history—from the market-square ensemble to a 19th-century church.

The sandstone Kreuzkapelle stands on the Wißberg. A landmark and former pilgrimage site, the present-day chapel was built between 1907 and 1910. The approach passes 14 Stations of the Cross. The chapel thus combines a striking building with a reminder of its former religious significance. Anyone interested in a place’s history will find in Gau-Bickelheim both a historic square that has developed over time and individual buildings with clearly defined periods of construction.

More perspectives in the wider Alzey-Worms destination

The Museum of the City of Alzey offers two distinct cultural and historical perspectives. Its prehistoric and early historic exhibition traces the development of inner Rheinhessen from the Neolithic through the Bronze, Iron and Roman Ages to the Merovingian period—a span of more than 6,000 years. The geology and palaeontology exhibition, by contrast, focuses on the Mainz Basin: minerals, especially fossils, illustrate how it developed over millions of years. Anyone looking to compare historical periods will find a much broader timescale here alongside Gau-Bickelheim’s local history. Alzey Castle can be explored on a city tour with trained guides or independently.

The landscapes in the wider Alzey-Worms destination also offer a variety of impressions. Gently rolling, vine-covered hills shape the Alzey Land; its woodland areas include the state forest in Vorholz near Offenheim. The 246-metre Petersberg, between Gau-Odernheim and Bechtolsheim, is planted with vines and offers expansive views across the Wonnegau and the surrounding hills. Around Flonheim, you’ll find white Trulli—small vineyard huts built by Lombard migrant workers. On the Adelberg in Flonheim, the Trullo can be reached on foot via the Hiwweltour Aulheimer Tal; tables and benches stand directly beside the building.

Other cultural landmarks in the wider Alzey-Worms destination offer different points of interest. The Jewish cemetery in Flonheim contains around 60 gravestones arranged in rows, most made of Flonheim sandstone. The Geistermühle is a historic mill complex with half-timbering and a fully preserved watermill; guided mill tours are available. The Alzey Art & Culture Trail passes through the vineyards and features 20 works of art and 22 vineyard huts. These offer different ways to explore cultural history—through buildings, gravestones, a mill or art along a trail.

Hiking and cycling by landscape and theme

The cycle routes in the wider Alzey-Worms destination can be chosen by landscape and theme. The Selztal Cycle Route follows the Selz through the rolling hills of Rheinhessen. The Mill Cycle Route links historic mills and passes through picturesque wine villages. The Hiwwel Route crosses hills with frequent views, while the Rhine Terrace Route leads through wine villages and vineyard slopes. The Zellertal Cycle Route branches off into the Zellertal valley. Conditions and signage may change, so it’s worth checking them before setting out.

Cycling services in Alzey-Worms include e-bike rentals and charging, as well as services for pumping up tyres and carrying out simple repairs. Check the relevant location before your trip. Hikers can explore art and vineyard huts along the Alzey Art & Culture Trail; the Hiwweltour Aulheimer Tal leads to the Trullo on the Adelberg, where tables and benches are available.

Discover more destinations: Saulheim, Alsheim, Gundheim, Hamm am Rhein, Monsheim, Osthofen, Wahlheim, Wallertheim.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Alzey-Worms.