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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

  • Gutenberg-Museum Mainz

    Gutenberg-Museum Mainz

    Mainz

    A heady experience for book lovers, the Gutenberg Museum commemorates native son Johannes Gutenberg, who in the 15th century ushered in the information…

  • Heiligtum der Isis und Mater Magna

    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…

  • Landesmuseum Mainz

    Landesmuseum Mainz

    Mainz

    Highlights of this well laid-out state museum include an ensemble of exquisite Jugendstil pieces, outstanding collections of Renaissance and 20th-century…

  • Mainzer Dom

    Mainzer Dom

    Mainz

    Topped by an octagonal tower, Mainz’ immense cathedral, built from deep red sandstone in the 12th century, is quintessentially Romanesque. Its predecessor…

  • Museum für Antike Schiffahrt

    Museum für Antike Schiffahrt

    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…

  • Druckladen – Gutenburg Museum

    Druckladen – Gutenburg Museum

    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…

  • St-Stephan-Kirche

    St-Stephan-Kirche

    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…

  • Augustinerkirche

    Augustinerkirche

    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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