Summary
Mainz, renowned as Germany’s wine capital, was established by the Romans along the left bank of the Rhine River and boasts over 2,000 years of history. Dominating the Altstadt’s charming labyrinth of cobblestone paths is the grand Romanesque cathedral, which serves as the final resting place for countless ruling Prince Archbishops over the centuries.
The city’s museums house a wealth of Roman artifacts unearthed from beneath the urban landscape, including an impressive collection of 1,700-year-old warships now preserved in a former industrial locomotive shed. Furthermore, in the 1430s, Johannes Gutenberg, a citizen of Mainz, innovated the printing press, and the museum dedicated to his legacy displays two of the surviving editions of the Gutenberg Bible. Mainz also hosts a significant carnival, with its televised parade on Shrove Monday attracting hundreds of thousands of attendees.
Here are the top attractions in Mainz:
1. Mainz Cathedral
With a millennium of history enshrined within its walls, Mainz’s vast sandstone cathedral evokes both religious and political significance.
The architectural design predominantly reflects the Romanesque style from the High Middle Ages, yet incorporates elements of Gothic and Baroque design found in its chapels and roofing.
The interior houses the largest collection of funerary monuments dedicated to Prince-Archbishops of the former Holy Roman Empire.
These monuments span various periods of European art history, from Gothic to Baroque, inclusive of the Medieval revival styles prevalent in the 19th century.
Notably, six German monarchs were crowned in this cathedral, ranging from Agnes de Poitou in 1043 to Heinrich Raspe in 1246.
Do not miss the treasury, which is rich in centuries-old religious artistry.
2. Gutenberg Museum
Inaugurated in 1900 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg’s birth, the Gutenberg Museum relocated in 1927 to the beautiful Renaissance townhouse “Zum Römischen Kaiser,” situated directly across from the cathedral.
Visitors can marvel at numerous attractions within its galleries, including two of the 29 remaining copies of the Gutenberg Bible—the first printed publication by Gutenberg.
Additionally, the museum exhibits the earliest known instance of woodblock printing, created in Japan around 770, alongside other invaluable printed artifacts from the 15th century.
Another notable piece is “Peregrinationes in Terram Sanctam,” an illustrated account of a journey to the Holy Land, published in 1483.
3. Markt
Situated on the north side, Markt is the largest of the four squares surrounding the cathedral, developed alongside the cathedral during the 10th century.
A market operates here every Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday morning.
Visitors can also closely examine the landmarks in the square: the Marktbrunnen (Market Fountain), an intricately designed Renaissance fountain gifted in 1526 by the Elector of Brandenburg.
In front of the cathedral lies the Gotthardkapelle, a Romanesque chapel commissioned by Adalbert of Mainz in 1137. The Heunensäule, a sandstone column located in the center of the square, is one of 42 that were crafted for the cathedral reconstruction after a fire in 1009 but ultimately remained unused.
Only eight of these columns are known to survive in various locations across Germany.
4. Stephanskirche
Perched atop the highest hill in the old city, Stephanskirche was established in 990 and is predominantly characterized by its Gothic architecture from the 1300s.
A later addition is the exquisite Gothic cloister, enhanced in the 15th century with magnificent vaults adorning its southern wall.
Despite the building’s enduring medieval style, it has endured significant challenges over the past 200 years: an explosion in 1857 obliterated the Baroque façade, while the church and its western belfry faced restoration only in the 1970s due to wartime damage.
The choir windows, renowned for their stunning blue hues, were redesigned by Marc Chagall between 1978 and 1985, offering a unique experience unmatched elsewhere in Germany.
The church also features medieval furnishings, such as an altar table dating back to the 1200s and a large tabernacle from the early 16th century.
5. Kirschgarten
One of Mainz’s most picturesque settings, this compact rectangular square is surrounded by tall half-timbered houses.
The square dates back to before 1329, while its surrounding structures were constructed between the 16th and 18th centuries.
One notable building, Zum Aschaffenberg, is recognized as the oldest preserved half-timbered house in Mainz, built around 1500. In front of another historic residence, Zum Beimburg, visitors can see the remains of what has often been mistakenly identified as a cherry tree stump (Kirschgarten translates to cherry orchard); it is in fact an almost petrified oak.
At the center of the square, bordered by a restaurant terrace, is the Kirchgartenbrunnen, a fountain established in 1932, constructed from red sandstone repurposed from demolished ornamental features from the Theodor Heuss Bridge.
6. Schillerplatz
Schillerplatz, a magnificent tree-lined square, served as a public plaza during Mainz’s Roman period and subsequently functioned as a marketplace throughout the Middle Ages.
The square is bordered by grand palatial structures in Baroque and Rococo styles that host various state government offices.
Within the square stands a bronze statue of the poet and playwright Friedrich Schiller, unveiled on the centennial of his birth in 1859. Additionally, the square features the impressive nine-meter-high Mainzer Fastnachtsbrunnen, which honors the famed carnival celebrations that enliven the square on Shrove Monday.
This fountain, a popular motif for postcards, is adorned with more than 200 bronze figures representing Mainz’s history and local folklore.
7. Rheinufer
If you desire a leisurely stroll, you can walk alongside the Rhine for hours, from Mainz’s Neustadt in the north to the railway bridge at the southern boundary of the city.
During the summer months, it is difficult to walk more than a few steps before encountering a Biergarten with scenic riverside views, an ice cream stand, or expansive lawns perfect for watching one of the world’s magnificent rivers flow.
Along the Stresemann-Ufer adjacent to Altstadt, a striking perspective of the cathedral emerges, complemented by public artworks and a remnant of the city’s Baroque fortifications at the red sandstone Templertor.
8. Augustinerkirche
Constructed between 1768 and 1771, the Catholic Augustinerkirche stands as a Baroque masterpiece that remained preserved from the devastation of the Second World War.
Above the portal on Augustinerstraße, attention is drawn to the group of sculptures illustrating the coronation of Mary flanked by Augustine of Hippo and his mother, Monica of Hippo.
Funded by affluent patrons, the church’s interior boasts opulent Rococo embellishments, featuring gilded stucco and dramatic frescoes glorifying Augustine of Hippo’s life.
Its organ, constructed in 1773, is among the few surviving examples crafted by Johann Heinrich Stumm to reach the 21st century; notably, it houses a piece that appears somewhat out of place: a carved Marian image with Child from 1420, relocated here after its original church burned down in 1793.
9. Landesmuseum Mainz
The Landesmuseum Mainz serves as a museum of archaeology, art, and culture, featuring a collection that spans from prehistory to the present day.
This attraction occupies a former barracks building designed in the Baroque style, with a modern glass extension added in 2010. For those interested in Gothic and Renaissance art, there are numerous pieces to discover, including a painting cycle of Mary by the Master of the Housebook, works by Hans Baldung Grien, and a striking painting of Mary with Child by Lorenzo di Credi.
A highlight from the medieval section includes a gold and enamel fibula from 1000, illustrating an eagle encrusted with sapphires.
The Baroque collection features refined furnishings such as a Rococo writing desk crafted by master artisan Peter Schuß, adorned with gilded carvings and intricate walnut and cherry wood marquetry.
10. Museum of Ancient Seafaring
In the early 1980s, the well-preserved remains of several Roman warships from the 4th century were uncovered during construction work along the Rhine.
This museum’s exhibition is primarily centered around these five vessels, showcasing two different designs.
Full-size replicas are also available to illustrate what these vessels would have appeared like 1,700 years ago.
Exhibits include models representing the various types of craft that navigated the Rhine during Roman times, as well as remarkable artifacts such as a bronze bow spur from the 200s.
The museum’s location merits recognition as it resides in the extensive former repair hall of the Hessische Ludwigsbahn railway, constructed in 1870.
11. Heiligtum der Isis und Mater Magna
During the late 1990s, workers constructing the Römerpassage shopping mall discovered a sanctuary dedicated to Isis and Cybele, which remained in use until the 3rd century.
A small yet engaging museum was subsequently established in the basement of the Römerpassage, showcasing the ruins.
A raised glass walkway allows visitors to peer into the remnants of the sanctuary, complete with informational signage.
Along the walls, glass displays feature intriguing finds excavated from the site.
These includes numerous clay oil lamps, as well as artifacts from animal sacrifices, curses inscribed on lead tablets, and statuettes of Mercury and Venus.
12. Holzturm and Eisenturm (Wooden Tower and Iron Tower)
The primary remnants of Mainz’s defensive wall consist of two towers located a few hundred meters apart along Rheinstraße.
Both were constructed in the 1200s and display Late Gothic design features originating from the early 1400s.
The towers suffered damage during the war but were restored in 1961 to celebrate Mainz’s 2000th anniversary.
Historically, these tall structures functioned as gatehouses, watchtowers, and prisons.
The wooden tower famously detained Schinderhannes, one of the most notorious outlaws in German history, who was imprisoned here following a series of audacious robberies and a daring escape.
After spending 15 months in prison, he was executed by guillotine by French authorities in 1803, witnessed by a crowd of 40,000.
13. Mainzer Fastnacht
The carnival season in Mainz commences on November 11 and persists until Ash Wednesday in February or March.
Small events unfold during this period; however, the festivities intensify in the days leading up to Ash Wednesday.
Shrove Monday represents the peak of the celebrations in the city, particularly for those unperturbed by crowds, as 500,000 spectators gather for the Rosenmontagszug parade.
Approximately 10,000 participants grace the procession, which winds through the scenic sights of Alt Stadt.
The Mainz parade is renowned for its clever satire, featuring floats that carry substantial satirical representations of global affairs.
14. 1. FSV Mainz 05
Despite having played amateur football only three decades ago, the local football team has become a fixture in the Bundesliga since 2010. In 2011, the club transitioned to the new 34,000-capacity Opel Arena, an exceptional venue for observing a football match, where the elevated tiers contribute to a lively atmosphere created by 15,000 standing fans.
The club integrates local carnival culture into matches; every time Mainz scores, the Narrhallamarsch— the signature tune of Mainzer Fastnacht—plays.
For those unable to attend a match, the stadium offers multilingual 90-minute tours on Fridays at 17:00, providing access to the dressing room, dugouts, corporate hospitality suites, and the conference room.
15. Spundekäs
For an authentic local culinary experience, Spundekäs stands out as a quintessential offering in Mainz.
This creamy cheese spread, primarily composed of quark and flavored with pepper, salt, and sweet paprika, is typically served with chopped onion on top, accompanied by crackers and mini pretzels for dipping.
The ideal pairing is Riesling or Müller-Thurgau wine, sourced from the surrounding Rheinhessen region.
Another, more adventurous cheese option is Handkäse, often marinated with vinegar, which has a strong aroma.
