Mainz
A heady experience for book lovers, the Gutenberg Museum commemorates native son Johannes Gutenberg, who in the 15th century ushered in the information…
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Mainz
Strategically situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Main Rivers, Mainz has been the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate since 1946. This lively city has a sizeable university, pretty pedestrian precincts and a savoir vivre dating from Napoleon's occupation (1797–1814). Strolling along the Rhine and sampling local wines in a half-timbered Altstadt tavern are as much a part of any Mainz visit as viewing the fabulous Dom, Chagall’s ethereal windows in St-Stephan-Kirche, or the first printed Bible in the bibliophile paradise of the Gutenberg Museum.
Attractions
Must-see attractions
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Heiligtum der Isis und Mater Magna
Mainz
In a darkened, dungeon-like space, a glass walkway leads you around this extraordinary Roman archaeological site, which was discovered in 1999 during the…
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Mainz
Topped by an octagonal tower, Mainz’ immense cathedral, built from deep red sandstone in the 12th century, is quintessentially Romanesque. Its predecessor…
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Mainz
Highlights of this well laid-out state museum include an ensemble of exquisite Jugendstil pieces, outstanding collections of Renaissance and 20th-century…
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Mainz
The extraordinary remains of five wooden ships of the Romans’ Rhine flotilla, used around AD 300 to thwart the Germanic tribes then threatening Roman…
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Mainz
Across from the Gutenburg Museum, you can try out Gutenberg’s technology yourself, with instruction on the art of hand-setting type – backwards, of course…
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Mainz
This would be just another Gothic church rebuilt after WWII were it not for the nine brilliant-blue, stained-glass windows created by the Russian-Jewish…
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Mainz
Part of the local Catholic seminary, the classically baroque Augustinerkirche, built from 1768 to 1772, was unscathed by WWII so all its rich decor is…
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