Mainz is a historic city in the south-west of Germany with around 225,000 inhabitants, serving as the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate and Germany’s wine capital! The city is located in Germany’s largest wine-producing region, creating a lively cultural scene with Weinstuben (wine taverns), restaurants, and open-air markets. Moreover, the city is famous for its legendary Carnival (Meenzer Fassenacht), where Mainz transforms once a year into a celebration of parades, political satire, and street parties, perfectly showcasing the locals’ warm hospitality and joy for life also known as the “Mainz feeling”.
As a major university city with over 30,000 students enrolled at Johannes Gutenberg University (JGU), Mainz maintains a youthful energy. Together with Goethe University Frankfurt and the Technical University of Darmstadt, JGU is part of the Rhine-Main Universities alliance (RMU), which will receive funding as an Excellence Consortium starting in 2027.
Historically, Mainz has been a cultural and economic center since it was founded as a Roman legionary camp (Mogontiacum) over 2,000 years ago. The city flourished during the Roman Empire as a powerful center of religion and politics. However, its most famous legacy was cemented around 1440 when Johannes Gutenberg invented the printing press. Today, Mainz is home to ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen), one of Europe’s largest public television broadcasters, as well as the Bundesliga football club, 1. FSV Mainz 05.
Note: In Germany, it is still sometimes “cash only”. Better ask before you order if you don’t have cash with you.
Major tourist attractions
Roman Heritage Sites
Mainz hosts archaeological treasures from its time as a major Roman military capital:
- The Roman Theater (Römisches Theater): The ruins of the largest ancient stage theater north of the Alps, which once held up to 10,000 spectators.
- Isis and Mater Magna Sanctuary: An ancient temple complex dedicated to the Egyptian goddess Isis and the oriental deity Mater Magna, discovered while building the shopping mall Römerpassage.
Mainzer Dom (St. Martin’s Cathedral)
This Romanesque cathedral has dominated the city skyline for over 1,000 years in the center of Mainz. Its architecture and massive interior make it one of the most important historical buildings in Germany. The surrounding square serves as a social meeting point for locals, especially during the famous Marktfrühstück(market breakfast) where residents gather for wine and fresh local food every Saturday.
Gutenberg Museum
One of the oldest museums of printing in the world, dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg. The museum’s most prized possessions are two original Gutenberg Bibles from the mid-15th century. Visitors can also watch live demonstrations of historical printing techniques.
St. Stephen’s Church (St. Stephan)
A beautiful Gothic masterpiece that is world-famous for its glowing blue stained-glass windows created by Marc Chagall.
The Old Town (Altstadt)
The streets in the old town are lined with beautifully restored half-timbered houses, boutiques, and cozy wine taverns. The Kirschgarten (Cherry Orchard) square is the most picturesque spot in the Old Town, showing how the city looked like centuries ago.
The Banks of the Rhine
On sunny days, locals go to the Rheinpromenade (Rhine promenade) for picnics, walks, and sunset views. It is also a perfect starting point for boat tours through the Rhine Valley.
