Bad Kreuznach

After the narrows between Rotenfels and Rheingrafenstein, the Nahe reaches the bay of Kreuznach, a fertile plain which has been settled since earliest times. The city of Bad Kreuznach is the population center of the area, lying at the crossroads of very old traffic routes. In Roman times, Bad Kreuznach was an important center of commerce as the "Villa Suburbana" built in the 2nd century attests to, as does the Roman fort built in 370. Size, building style and furnishings of the villa with its large, completely conserved floor mosaics are unparalleled in the Roman area of influence north of the Alps.

The landmark of Bad Kreuznach is the bridge over the Nahe with its houses. The bridge with its eight arches was built around the year 1300 and first mentioned in records in 1332. Towards the end of the 15th century, the building of houses on the bridge was begun. Worthy of a visit as well is the Paulus church (dedicated in 1332) on the Worth, a small island between Nahe and Mühlenteich. The middle point of city life was and is the egg market where, in 1230, Bad Kreuznach's oldest church still in good condition was erected by the counts of Sponheim. The Kauzenburg, above the city was the official residence of the Counts of Sponheim.

Photo: The 58 sqm large, completely preserved "Gladiator Mosaic" in the museum "Römerhalle" in Bad Kreuznach shows animal fighting scenes and gladiator fights. The museum is located on the original site of the Roman villa.