Kelheim (German: [ˈkeːlhaɪ̯m] ) is a town and municipality in Bavaria, Germany. It is the capital of the district Kelheim and is situated at the confluence of the rivers Altmühl and Danube. Kelheim has a population of around 16,750 (2020).

Kelheim
Befreiungshalle monument
Coat of arms of Kelheim
Location of Kelheim within Kelheim district
Eichstätt (district)Freising (district)Landshut (district)Neumarkt (district)Pfaffenhofen (district)RegensburgRegensburg (district)Straubing-BogenGemeindefreies Gebiet HacklbergPaintenFrauenforstNeustadt an der DonauDürnbucher ForstAbensbergAiglsbachAttenhofenBad AbbachBiburgElsendorfEssingHausenHerrngiersdorfIhrlersteinKelheimKirchdorfLangquaidMainburgNeustadt an der DonauNeustadt an der DonauPaintenPaintenRiedenburgRohr in NiederbayernSaal an der DonauSiegenburgTeugnTrainVolkenschwandWildenberg
Kelheim is located in Germany
Kelheim
Kelheim
Kelheim is located in Bavaria
Kelheim
Kelheim
Coordinates: 48°55′N 11°52′E / 48.917°N 11.867°E / 48.917; 11.867
CountryGermany
StateBavaria
Admin. regionLower Bavaria
DistrictKelheim
Government
 • Mayor (2020–26) Christian Schweiger[1] (CSU)
Area
 • Total
100.23 km2 (38.70 sq mi)
Elevation
343 m (1,125 ft)
Population
 (2023-12-31)[2]
 • Total
17,094
 • Density170/km2 (440/sq mi)
Time zoneUTC+01:00 (CET)
 • Summer (DST)UTC+02:00 (CEST)
Postal codes
93301–93309
Dialling codes09441
Vehicle registrationKEH
Websitewww.kelheim.de

History

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Engraving of the Befreiungshalle, or Hall of Liberation, one of Kelheim's best-known landmarks, just after its construction

Kelheim is the site of a large Iron Age oppidum from the La Tène period, which has been tentatively identified with the Celtic city of Alcimoennis mentioned by Ptolemy in his Geography. The ramparts of the fort cross the promontory between the rivers Altmühl and Danube. There is an inner defensive line enclosing 60 ha near the confluence, then a long outer rampart enclosing an enormous area of 630 ha. A small promontory fort on the other bank of the Danube has a series of short linear ramparts protecting a settlement in the bend of a meander. This is aligned with the end of the outer rampart on the far bank, dominating traffic on the river. Kelheim has given its name to the pfostenschlitzmauer style of rampart construction characterized by vertical wooden posts set into the stone facing.

Kelheim was first mentioned in the 9th century. At this time it was the seat of a count (Graf). According to tradition of Braunau in Rohr Abbey, Kelheim received borough rights in 1151.

G. Schneider & Sohn has a large weissbier brewery in the city.

Culture and sights

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The Hall of Liberation
 
Panorama of Kelheim as viewed from the Hall of Liberation looking eastwards (direction Regensburg). To the left, slopes of the Franconian Jura; to the right the Lower Bavarian Upland. Danube river in between.

Born in Kelheim

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References

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