MAINZ
Sightseeing
History I
Sightseeing I
Practical I Hotels in Mainz
St. Martins
Dom (cathedral).
This is one of the major monuments of Mainz. Together with the
cathedrals of the German cities Worms and Speyer it is one of the onl
three Romanesque imperial cathedral to have survived almost intact. The
oldest parts date from the early 11th century. Later, the cathedral was
further transformed in 1081-1137 and in 1183-1239. The rows of Gothic
side chappels were added during the 13th and the 14th century. The
Gothic altars and the magnificent rood loft did not survive, but it is
still possible to see the large group of bischops' monuments from the
13th to the 19th century.
Cathedral and Diocesan Museum
The museum, located in the cloisters of
the cathedral, is devoted to religious art. It features sacral art from
the Middle Ages to modern times. The collection includes valuables from
the cathedral treasury, Gothic tapestry, sculptures and statues, winged
altars, wood carvings, paintings, liturgical instruments, and
manuscripts dating back to the 10th century.
Church of St. Stephan with windows by Marc Chagall.
On the
site of an older church, the Saint Stephens church was constructed as
from the mid-13th century. The original stained-glass windows in the
presbytery were destroyed during World War II. They have been replaced
by six new ones in 1978-1981. These new windows were designed by Marc
Chagall. The church interior contains many other interesting original
features. The four large brass candelabra were cast in Mainz in 1509.
The small polyptych depicting the Crucifixion dates from around 1400.
The niche below the tower contains the Holy Tomb (around 1450).
Gutenbergmuseum - International museum of printing with original
Gutenberg Bibles and historical workshop.
Johannes Gutenberg is the inventor of the printing process. He prepared
himself the Bible for printing and publication in 1454-1455. Of the
original 200 copies 46 have survived until this day. In the museum,
which opened in 1900, the visitor can see a reconstruction of
Gutenberg's workshop as well as a collection of precious early books and
a copy of the famous Gutenberg Bible.
Gutenbergplatz (Gutenberg Square)
Near the St. John
parish church is the Gutenberg Square. It is a pleasant quiet place
with, of course, a statue of the most famous inhabitant of Mainz.
Castle of the
Prince-Electors.
The construction of the Baroque electoral palace began in
1627 during the reign of Archbishop Georg von Greifenclau. It was
completed in 1775 under Johann Friedrich Carl Joseph von Erthal. Today
the palace houses the fascinating museum of Roman and Germanic history.
The unusual assortment of perfect copies
and valuable original items presents a comprehensive picture of the
cultural life of prehistoric times, the Roman Empire, and the early
Middle Ages.
Museum für
Antique Schiffahrt ("Antique Shipping Museum")
This is the only museum in the world featuring the relics of five Roman
warships from the 4th century. Two spectacular vessels, recreated in the
original size, the wreck of a barge, numerous reliefs as well as
instructive models and diagrams give you a profound insight into the
antique art of shipbuilding and seafaring.
Kupferberg Sektkellerei -Sparkling wine producer with the world's
deepest cellars
In this old factory, with the deepest cellars in the world, you can
explore the development of German sparkling wine. It is also the home of
the world's finest collection of sparkling wine and champagne glasses,
an exhibition of artistic advertisements, and the breathtaking art
nouveau pavilion from the World Fair in Paris in 1900.
Kupferberg Museum
Museum of Natural History - This museum features the largest collection
of natural relics in Rhineland-Palatinate and contains an ample
collection of fossils from the region. It shows the evolution of animal
and plant life of this region and its geology in an educational and
entertaining way addressing both adults and children.
