Description
Capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate state and the largest city in the region, Mainz is a cosmopolitan metropolis with something for everyone to enjoy – no matter what you’re looking for from your Central European river cruise and your time spent ashore. Offering travellers a wonderful blend of authentic Rhineland traditions and remarkable history with fresh modernity and unforgettable cultural experiences, you’ll be able to enjoy fantastic local cuisine here, indulge in wines from the region, and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere that makes exploring all-the-more exciting. An important centre of Jewish learning throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance, while also being an important ‘fortress city’ on the Rhine, Mainz’s unique history is reflected in its incredible architecture and interesting historic cultural sites. When you couple all of this with scenic riverside walking routes and vibrant vineyard-covered hills providing a picturesque backdrop, it’s certainly one place you’ll want to return to once you continue on your adventure through Germany and Central Europe.
Read more
Read less
Things to do
Mainz Cathedral
Founded circa 975 AD, this remarkable Roman Catholic cathedral is a symbol of the city and – built primarily of red sandstone – is truly a sight to behold. Coupled with the second-largest diocesan museum in Germany, there’s a lot to learn about the history of Mainz and the Rhineland region from a visit to this striking structure. You’ll also find the historic Marktbrunnen fountain just outside, which – dating back to around 1525 – represents one of the first architecturally-formed decorated fountains of the renaissance.
Schloss Biebrich
Biebrich Palace, which is just north of Mainz along the river Rhine, is a staggering example of grand Baroque architecture and somewhere well worth seeing if you have the time while in Mainz. Built in 1702, with the impressive gardens realised fully over a century later in 1817, the history of this palace reflects the unique history of the Rhineland region and its ruling class.
Mainz Citadel
Constructed in 1660 and an important part of the Fortress of Mainz (a fortified garrison town in the centre of modern Mainz) from the 17th century to the early 20th century, Mainz Citadel is an impressive structure surrounded by equally-interesting historic sites. While largely used as a space for municipal offices today, you’ll find several local history museums in the surrounding area – and the Roman Drususstein Monument, a historic structure built around 9 BC.
Gutenberg Museum
One of the oldest printing museums in the world, the Gutenberg Museum is an intriguing museum dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg – an inventor credited with the creation of printing from movable metal type in Western Europe and a man known as the son of Mainz. Born circa 1400, Gutenberg’s work had an immeasurable impact on the development of culture and society throughout Europe in the following centuries, and he is easily one of the most influential figures in human history. This museum doesn’t just explore Gutenberg’s printing, though, but printing and writing techniques from a number of different cultures – which just makes it an even more interesting place to visit when in Mainz.