18 documented houses and sights shape the historic town center of Mettenheim; information boards on site introduce them. A striking example is the town hall, built in the 16th century. Its round stair tower and sandstone spiral staircase make the building recognizable by two distinctive features. This takes you from the historic center as a whole to individual architectural details. If you are particularly interested in architecture, the town hall offers a specific point of interest; at the same time, the information boards place the other houses and sights within the overview of the town.
Another way to explore the past is the historic cemetery, which was inaugurated in 1828 and preserves more than 100 graves. The gravestones differ in shape, material and stylistic features; the epitaphs are also part of this collection. In this way, funerary art complements the architectural features of the town hall and church with a different focus: varied grave designs and texts.
The Baroque church adds architecture and historic furnishings to the range of things to explore. It was built between 1748 and 1756. Its Stumm organ dates from 1762 and has more than 1,000 pipes; the striking count’s pew is another feature of its furnishings. The dates make the sequence clear: the church building and the organ, dated later, are two separate historical stages. Together with the town hall and cemetery, they create a picture of the town that brings together architectural history, furnishings and funerary art. You can choose the themes that interest you most.
Alzey-Worms as a regional destination in its own right
In the wider travel destination of Alzey-Worms, the Museum of the City of Alzey offers a different timescale. Its prehistoric and early historical exhibition traces the cultural development of central Rheinhessen from the Neolithic through the Bronze, Iron and Roman Ages to the Merovingian period—a span of more than 6,000 years. Another exhibition at the museum focuses on the geology and paleontology of the Mainz Basin: minerals and, in particular, fossils illustrate its development over millions of years. In this regional context, two different questions come together: how human culture developed across several periods, and how the geological history of the basin can be understood.
The landscape in the wider travel destination of Alzey-Worms also offers points of interest. Petersberg, between Gau-Odernheim and Bechtolsheim, is 246 meters high, covered with vines and offers far-reaching views across the Wonnegau and the hilly countryside. The Alzeyer Land is characterized by gentle, vine-covered hills and woodland; this includes, for example, the state forest in Vorholz near Offenheim.
For active outings in the wider travel destination of Alzey-Worms, there are several themed routes. The Alzey Art & Culture Hiking Trail runs through the vineyards and features 20 works of art and 22 vineyard huts. The Selztal Cycle Path follows the Selz through the hilly Rheinhessen countryside; the Mill Cycle Path links historic mills with picturesque wine-growing villages. This gives you a cultural hiking trail alongside two cycling routes focused on the landscape and mills, respectively. If you are planning a bike ride, check current conditions and route signs before setting out.
For the wider travel overview: Eich.
