The model shows the imperial palace Ingelheim at the time of Charlemagne, which can be viewed in the permanent exhibition in the museum near the imperial palace., © Rainer Oppenheimer© Rainer Oppenheimer

It was not only in architecture that the Roman style experienced a renaissance: Charlemagne also had a long-distance water pipeline built in the Roman style.

The long-distance water pipeline transported fresh, clean spring water from the Karlsquelle spring near Heidesheim, almost 7 kilometres away, underground to the Palatinate region.

It is one of the oldest examples of the adoption of Roman engineering and architecture in the Middle Ages and an important archaeological monument. In the Imperial Palace Archaeological Zone, the canal can be viewed in the round towers of the semi-circular building. The so-called basin of the long-distance water pipeline in the centre of the monument area probably served as a clarification basin.

Sections of the water pipeline can also be viewed at the Winzerkeller and in Wackernheim "An der Bachwiese", where they are exhibited above ground. Near Wackernheim, there is also a small adventure trail along the signposting to the water pipeline, which also leads to the source area at the Heidesheimer Sandmühle, for example. To the west of Ingelheim, on Heidesheimer Weg, a section of the pipeline has been uncovered in its original position and placed under cover.

Cross-section of water pipe
Internal width: approx. 0.45 m
Internal height to the top of the vault: approx. 1.10 m
External dimensions: 1.25 m total width, 1.50 m total height
show on map

Contact details:

Tourist-Information im Winzerkeller

Binger Straße 16

55218 Ingelheim am Rhein

Tel: (0049) 6132 710 009 200
E-Mail: touristinformation(at)ikum-ingelheim.de

Contact details:

Tourist-Information im Winzerkeller

Binger Straße 16

55218 Ingelheim am Rhein

Tel: (0049) 6132 710 009 200
E-Mail: touristinformation(at)ikum-ingelheim.de