Landkreis Bergstraße

Landkreis Bergstraße is an administrative district in southern Hesse comprising 22 municipalities that stretch from Neckarsteinach in the south to Viernheim in the north. The territory covers roughly 713 square kilometers and is administered from the district capital of Heppenheim.

The district was formed in 1938 through the merger of two former administrative regions, Bensheim and Heppenheim, into a single unified administration. This consolidation established the foundation for the region as it exists today.

The municipalities across this area are known for wine festivals held throughout the year that celebrate local Riesling and Traminer varieties from regional vineyards. Wine culture shapes the identity of the communities here and influences how people gather and celebrate together.

The district is well connected through Heppenheim to major transport routes linking Frankfurt and Mannheim, making it easy to reach by various means of transportation. Visitors will find the region dotted with smaller towns of different characters that can be explored in multiple ways.

The district's coat of arms displays several symbols including Starkenburg castle and the Hessian lion, alongside a flower and the cross of Lorsch Abbey. These elements together tell the story and identity of the region.

Location: Darmstadt Government Region

Capital city: Heppenheim

Elevation above the sea: 252 m

Shares border with: Groß-Gerau, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Odenwald, Rhein-Neckar, Mannheim, Rhein-Pfalz, Worms, Alzey-Worms

Website: https://kreis-bergstrasse.de

GPS coordinates: 49.64076,8.64438

Latest update: December 10, 2025 16:03