Ockenheim


Ockenheim is an Ortsgemeinde – a municipality belonging to a Verbandsgemeinde, a kind of collective municipality – in the Mainz-Bingen district in Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany.

Geography

Location

The winegrowing centre lies in Rhenish Hesse, and belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde of Gau-Algesheim, whose seat is in the like-named town.

History

In 835, Ockenheim had its first documentary mention. The Marian monastery St. Maria ad Gradus in Mainz held a considerable share of the local landholdings and in return saw to it that the place was supplied with pastoral care.

Population development

By opening up new residential areas and a commercial area, Ockenheim grew and the original settlement pattern was changed.

Politics

Municipal council

The council is made up of 19 council members, counting the mayor, with seats apportioned thus:
The council's size is fixed at 16 seats. The mayor and the two deputies are, given their offices, on the council as well.
Elections 2014:
The municipality's arms might be described thus: Argent a chevron reversed azure.
The earliest known seal dates from 1457 and shows the same composition as today's arms, with the “reversed” chevron. The same also appeared in all later seals. The arms are based on those once borne by the Lords of Ockenheim, the local vassals who had been enfeoffed by the Archbishops of Mainz.

Economy and infrastructure

Transport

With regards to transport, the municipality is favourably located on Autobahn A 60 and near Autobahn A 61. The station on the Gau Algesheim–Bad Kreuznach line, connecting to the Nahe Valley line to Saarbrücken was re-opened in 1996. Ockenheim is linked to the Bingen am Rhein municipal bus network.

Education

The sporting grounds Auf dem Kissel were dedicated in 1990. Since then, among other things, a clubhouse, tennis courts, a barbecue pavilion, a boules field and a beach volleyball court have all been added.

Culture and sightseeing