The Pink Heisje
The large vineyard shed was commissioned in 1766 by Unterfauth Hirschel as a shelter made of rubble stones with a barrel roof. Renovation in 2009: The walls were plastered white, the roof was originally intended to be red. Because there wasn't enough paint, the roof became pink – hence the name!
Name: "The Pink Heisje"
Construction Type: Vineyard shed with barrel roof
Material: Rubble stone (limestone).
Description: Large vineyard shed with a door opening framed with a type of rubble stone frame. Thick walls, the roof constructed as a barrel roof. Plastered and painted white. The roof is pink. For this reason, it is called "The Pink Heisje."
Interesting Facts:
The oldest evidence of the construction of vineyard sheds in Westhofen dates back to 1766, where it is said that under Unterfauth Hirschel, nine stone "Weingarts – Schützen - Hütten" were built. (Ebersmann) Locations were also mentioned.
Trulli
There are several construction forms. The most well-known is the round shape, as it dominates in Apulia. Trulli (plural) are cantilever vaulted buildings made of rubble stone, built without mortar.
Originally, the construction style is said to have originated from the area around present-day Harran in Turkey.
The Rheinhessen trulli, in contrast to the original trulli in Apulia, are filled with mortar.
It is said that their construction is attributed to Lombard itinerant workers who supposedly worked in the Rheinhessen quarries at the time of construction. However, this cannot be historically proven.
History / Stories / Anecdotes:
Renovated in 2009 by Eckhard Steckert and Horst Schopp with their own efforts. The community covered the material costs: 21 bags of plaster and base coat, about 1,000 liters of Seebach water, 20 liters of paint, and about 4 weeks of work allowed the Heisje to shine anew. Mr. Schopp was determined to have a red roof. Unfortunately, the red paint was not enough, so we have a Heisje with a pink roof. An example of civic engagement for the community, without which the vineyard shed would have been subject to decay.
