Bingen am Rhein
Bingen am Rhein (German pronunciation: [ˈbɪŋən] ⓘ) is a town in the Mainz-Bingen district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.
Bingen am Rhein | |
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Town | |
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Coat of arms | |
Location of Bingen am Rhein within Mainz-Bingen district | |
Bingen am Rhein Bingen am Rhein | |
| Coordinates: 49°58′N 7°54′E | |
| Country | Germany |
| State | Rhineland-Palatinate |
| District | Mainz-Bingen |
| Subdivisions | 8 |
| Government | |
| • Lord mayor (2019–27) | Thomas Feser (CDU) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 37.74 km2 (14.57 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 89 m (292 ft) |
| Population (2022-12-31) | |
| • Total | 26,309 |
| • Density | 700/km2 (1,800/sq mi) |
| Time zone | UTC+01:00 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+02:00 (CEST) |
| Postal codes | 55411 |
| Dialling codes | 06721-06725 |
| Vehicle registration | MZ, BIN |
| Website | www.bingen.de |
The settlement's original name was Bingium, a Celtic word that may have meant "hole in the rock", a description of the shoal behind the Mäuseturm, known as the Binger Loch. Bingen was the starting point for the Via Ausonia, a Roman military road that linked the town with Trier. Bingen is well known for, among other things, the story about the Mouse Tower, in which the Bishop of Hatto I of Mainz was allegedly eaten by mice. Saint Hildegard von Bingen, an important polymath, abbess, mystic and musician, one of the most influential medieval composers and one of the earliest Western composers whose music is widely preserved and performed, was born 40 km away from Bingen, in Bermersheim vor der Höhe. Bingen am Rhein was also the birthplace of the celebrated poet Stefan George, along with many other influential figures.