Hofheim, Hesse

Hofheim am Taunus (German pronunciation: [ˈhoːfhaɪm ʔam ˈtaʊnʊs], lit. 'Hofheim on the Taunus'), commonly known as Hofheim, is the administrative centre of the Main-Taunus-Kreis district, in the south of the German state of Hesse. Its population in September 2020 was 39,946. The town is situated on the south side of the Taunus hills, approximately 17 km west of Frankfurt and 17 km east of both Wiesbaden and Mainz, within the Rhine Main Area, one of the fastest-growing economic regions in Germany. Frankfurt Airport lies 12 km to the southeast. Human settlement in the area dates back to the Palaeolithic period, and the town was first documented in 1254 under the name Hoveheim. Over the following centuries Hofheim passed through the hands of several noble houses and the Electorate of Mainz before becoming part of the Duchy of Nassau in the early 19th century and subsequently being annexed by Prussia in 1866. On January 1, 1980, Hofheim became the administrative seat of the Main-Taunus-Kreis. Notable landmarks include the medieval Wasserschloss (water castle), the Kellereigebäude with its historic Hexenturm (Witch Tower), the 15th-century church of St. Peter und Paul, and the European Baháʼí House of Worship, located in the Langenhain district. The town is served by S-Bahn line S2 and has direct motorway access via the A66.