Fronhofen

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Fronhofen is a small municipality in western Germany, in the Rhein-Hunsrück-Kreis district of Rhineland-Palatinate. It belongs to the Verbandsgemeinde Simmern-Rheinböllen, whose seat is in Simmern.

Geography
The village lies in the central Hunsrück, in the Biebertal valley, between the B50 road and the Hunsrück Heights Road. It sits on sloped ground at elevations from 370 to 408 meters above sea level. The area covers 3.71 square kilometers. Population is 243 (as of December 31, 2023), giving a density of about 66 people per square kilometer.

History
Fronhofen was first mentioned in 1285, but its history goes back earlier. It started as a monastery estate and a mill. In 1074 Count Berthold donated the holding to Ravengiersburg Monastery. It stayed with Ravengiersburg until 1408, then passed to the Oberamt Simmern. The estate included a manor house, barns, a mill, and fields, meadows, and a forest. Tithes were divided among the priest and several noble families. The Haus Klopp farm lay nearby. The area belonged to the church district of Neuerkirch-Biebern. Beginning in 1794 Fronhofen was under French rule; in 1815 it became part of Prussia. Since 1946 it has been in Rhineland-Palatinate. Land consolidation occurred in 1912 and 1985.

Politics
The municipal council has 6 members plus an honorary mayor who acts as chairman. The mayor (2019–2024) is Dirk Klöckner.

Coat of arms
The coat of arms shows a black shield with a silver triple mount, from which a blue abbot’s staff rises, and a gold lion with a red tongue and claws facing left. The design references Ravengiersburg (abbot’s staff) and the Counts of Simmern and Elector Palatine (the lion). The arms have been in use since 1981, designed by Willi Wagner.

Practical info
Postal code: 55471; dialing code: 06761; vehicle registration: SIM. Website: www.fronhofen.net.