Discover Mainz through its striking contrasts: The cathedral represents 1,000 years of history, St. Stephen’s combines Gothic architecture with 20th-century Chagall windows, and the citadel adds green spaces, old trees and walking paths to the city’s cultural attractions. There are also wine experiences, ranging from a seasonal market breakfast to a guided wine tasting.
The cathedral, Chagall windows and Gutenberg
St. Martin’s Cathedral, also known as Mainz Cathedral, is a landmark of Mainz. The buildings attached to the cathedral cloister now house the Diocesan Museum of Mainz Cathedral. Its restored Late Gothic exhibition rooms display religious art treasures from the late Middle Ages and the modern era. The cathedral is also home to a well-preserved portrait gallery of tomb monuments dating from the 11th to the 20th century, one of its major attractions. Its long time span reveals different eras in a single place.
St. Stephen’s is the city’s oldest Gothic hall church and was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Nine luminous blue stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall add a later artistic touch: They depict biblical scenes and were created between 1978 and 1985 as a symbol of reconciliation between Judaism and Christianity. The architectural history and the period when the windows were created can be clearly distinguished here.
The Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, his inventions and their impact up to the present day. Visitors who want to learn more about Gutenberg can also follow the Gutenberg Trail as an additional point of reference: It leads from the museum to Algesheimer Hof, Gutenberg’s last residence. The museum and the trail thus focus on different aspects of the same historical figure.
The citadel and walks through the city
The grounds of Mainz Citadel combine expansive green spaces and mature trees with walking paths and views over Mainz. Independent visitors can explore the site using QR codes on historical information panels; the codes provide information about the various buildings. This adds a historical dimension to time spent outdoors without limiting exploration to a single building.
Mainz city centre and the riverfront are also inviting places to explore on foot. Much of the city centre is pedestrianised, making shops easy and quick to reach on foot. Visitors finding their way around the city centre will find the mainz STORE, also known as the Tourist Information Centre, centrally located right by the cathedral square. It serves as a point of contact for visitors. The mainz STORE also has a vinotheque offering wines from Mainz, Rheinhessen and across Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as a shop selling souvenirs, books and typical Mainz specialities.
Wine, market breakfast and guided tours
Mainz is located in Rheinhessen, Germany’s largest wine-growing region. One local way to discover wine and a typical food pairing is the Mainz Market Breakfast, held on Saturdays from March to November. A glass of Mainz wine spritzer from a Mainz winemakers’ stand is served with a bread roll and bologna sausage; traditionally, this combination is known as Weck, Worscht and Woi. As this seasonal event takes place on set dates, it’s best to check the event date before your visit.
Another way to experience wine is a guided walk through the Mainz vineyards, including a wine tasting in the open air. The vineyard experience includes a tasting of five wines, accompanied by a Mainz winemakers’ snack of bread rolls and bologna sausage. For planning, check the latest booking details and information about the snack.
Public tours of the old town, led by trained guides, explore the city’s 2,000-year history and take place on regularly scheduled dates. Check which date suits your stay. Private tours for groups are available on individually chosen dates and themes; availability depends on the booking arrangements. This lets you choose between a public walking tour and a tour tailored to your group.
Discover more destinations: Neustadt An Der WeinstraĂźe, Worms, ZweibrĂĽcken, Frankenthal, Speyer.
Return to the main travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.
