Laumersheim – Viticulture, Palmberg and the history of milling

Laumersheim offers several historical points of interest to help with your travel planning: viticulture, pilgrimages to Palmberg, and the history of St. Bartholomew’s Church and the mills. These themes range from early records of viticulture to buildings and a long-standing pilgrimage tradition.

Viticulture documented from an early date

Viticulture in Laumersheim is documented for the years 769 and 774. The village is home to several wineries, including the Vier Jahreszeiten winegrowers’ cooperative. Thus, the early history of viticulture and today’s wineries represent different time periods within the same theme: the dates point to a long historical tradition, while the cooperative and other wineries reflect the local wine industry.

St. Bartholomew’s Church through the ages

St. Bartholomew’s Church was first mentioned as a chapel in 1316. Its tower and chancel, dating from the Gothic period, have been preserved. Another significant phase followed after 1689, when French troops burned down the village and church. The nave was rebuilt in 1719; from 1719 to 1721, it served as a simultaneous church for different denominations. The building’s history therefore includes both Gothic elements and its later reconstruction.

The church’s artworks also point to different historical periods. In 1933, wall paintings from the early 14th century were uncovered there. In addition, three valuable wooden figures dating to 1520 are displayed in St. Bartholomew’s Church. For those interested in history, architecture, painting and sculpture come together here, though they do not belong to the same period.

Palmberg: pilgrimage and Whit Monday

Pilgrimages to this sacred site on Palmberg have taken place since the Middle Ages. The Holy Cross Chapel on Palmberg was built in 1721–1722. The pilgrimage tradition and the chapel thus represent different periods: the religious tradition dates back to the Middle Ages, while the chapel is a building from the early 18th century. A small Stations of the Cross route once led from Laumersheim to Palmberg; this route is part of the site’s history.

An ecumenical service is held on Palmberg every Whit Monday, followed by a social gathering and a picnic. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, it is a good idea to check the arrangements for the relevant year in advance.

Mill path and the history of milling

The Eckbach Mills Trail passes through Laumersheim and runs for 24.5 kilometres from the source of the Eckbach to Dirmstein. It follows the “Mühlenwanderweg” (“Mill Hiking Trail”) waymarks and passes 23 former mills. The route can be divided into individual day stages. The total distance and the stage plan provide different kinds of guidance: 24.5 kilometres is the length of the entire route, while individual daily sections allow it to be broken up. The former mills provide the trail’s historical context.

The Hornungsmühle has its own history: it was first mentioned in a document in 1366. A foundation associated with it, established in 1439, developed into a brotherhood that supplied food to the sick and travellers. This story adds a social dimension to the architectural and route-related traces: it also tells how a foundation helped provide for people.

Traces of the moated castle

The moated castle was built by Hans von Flersheim in 1492. Today, only fragments remain. Together with the medieval traces at the church and mill, the building extends the timeline of Laumersheim’s history into the early modern period.

Discover more destinations: Altleiningen, Freinsheim, Bad Dürkheim, Hettenleidelheim, Weidenthal, Deidesheim, Weisenheim Am Sand, Lambrecht.

Go to the main travel overview: Bad Dürkheim.