Goellheim Well Houses

Goellheim, Donnersberg County, Rheinland Pfalz

Reference: Donnersberg Jahrbuch 1988, Kirchheimbolanden

These two well houses in the Ried (Marsh) district near Goellheim have been under Preservation Orders since 1985. Located about 200 meters from the edge of Goellheim, coming from the direction of Gundheimerhof (east of Goellheim) near the Ried Brook, these houses collected waters from several springs from which it was piped to Goellheim by underground pipes. These springs served as the town water supply. Today the water from these springs only feeds the fountain by the Town Hall.

Although the systems are still functional, the town is now supplied by bored wells. The two well houses supplied the town during the extremely dry year of 1950. Piped water was delivered to the town fountains or standpipes dating from the 1920’s, and collected in cans and buckets for domestic use.

One of the buildings was brick with sandstone quoins and a pyramid roof. The other was built of cut stone and has a cross saddle roof. The exact date of their construction is not known, but they are thought to date from the 18^th century; or no later than the first half of the 19^th century. Both were renovated in 1984 and replastered.

In local folklore, theses are the wells where babies live until the stork delivers them to their mothers. They are separated by sex; the oldest building is the "’es Buwehaisje" or "Little Boys’ House" and the newer one, the "’es Maedchehaisje" or Little Girls’ House.

"’es Buwehaisje" after renovation, looking toward Goellheim.

"’es Buwehaisje" and "’es Maedcheshaisje" before renovation and replastering.

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