Location
St. Michaelsberg lies above Riegel on the north-eastern foothills of the Kaiserstuhl massif. It forms part of the Riegel Gate between the Kaiserstuhl and the Black Forest.
Relief and soils
The distinctive hill rises above the Upper Rhine Plain. The rear plateau area lies at about 238 metres above sea level. The landscape includes a documented loess landscape with a natural loess exposure around 20 metres high. In the agriculturally used area of the rear plateau, loess-clay soils occur.
History
A castle in Riegel on the Michaelsberg is first documented for the year 1180. Archaeological investigations at the Michaels chapel indicate earlier use between the 10th century and the early 12th century.
