Discover Mainz: The Cathedral, Gutenberg and Wine Culture

Mainz offers plenty of specific reasons to take the time to explore: the cathedral tells the story of the city’s long history, the Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to an invention whose effects are felt to this day, and wine inspires experiences of its own. If you’re looking for accommodation, first consider which of these interests will shape your stay. This makes it easier to plan your itinerary around your own preferences, rather than trying to fit every facet of the city into a single visit.

The Cathedral, Chagall and Religious Art

St. Martin’s Cathedral, also known as Mainz Cathedral, is a landmark of Mainz with a history spanning 1,000 years. The buildings adjoining its cloister, formerly used by the collegiate chapter, now house the Episcopal Cathedral and Diocesan Museum. Its restored Late Gothic exhibition rooms display religious art treasures from the Late Middle Ages and the modern era. Inside the cathedral, a well-preserved portrait gallery includes funerary monuments dating from the 11th to the 20th century. Its completeness and state of preservation make it one of the cathedral’s most important attractions.

Another chapter in Mainz’s art history awaits at St. Stephen’s Church. It is the city’s oldest Gothic hall church and was built in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Its nine luminous blue stained-glass windows by Marc Chagall depict biblical scenes. They were created between 1978 and 1985 as a symbol of reconciliation between Judaism and Christianity.

Gutenberg and a Roman Memorial

The Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, his inventions and their effects up to the present day. The Gutenberg Trail leads from the museum to Algesheimer Hof, Gutenberg’s last residence. This city theme therefore focuses both on the man and his inventions, and on a route with clearly identified historical stops.

The Drusus Stone is also worth seeing on the grounds of Mainz Citadel. Its surviving core dates back to a memorial erected by the Romans for the general Drusus. The site thus combines a surviving architectural core with a clearly identified Roman dedication.

Explore Mainz on Foot

The citadel offers extensive green spaces, mature trees and attractive walking paths with views over Mainz. Independent visitors can explore the grounds using QR codes on historical information panels and information about the various buildings. This lets you combine the walking routes with explanations about the site without joining a guided tour.

Mainz city centre and the banks of the Rhine are also inviting places to explore on foot. Much of the city centre is pedestrianised, making shops easy to reach on foot and in a short time. The mainz STORE, also known as the Tourist Information Centre, is centrally located in the city centre, right by the cathedral square, and is the first point of contact for visitors. It has a vinotheque offering wines from Mainz, Rheinhessen and across Rhineland-Palatinate, as well as a shop selling souvenirs, books and typical Mainz specialities. The selection of products may change.

Public guided tours of the Old Town cover the city’s 2,000-year history and take place regularly with trained guides. Custom tours for groups are available on freely chosen dates and topics; availability depends on the booking arrangements. Check the dates before planning your visit.

Wine and Mainz Flavours

Mainz lies in Rheinhessen, Germany’s largest wine-growing region. A guided walk through the vineyards around Mainz leads to a wine tasting in the open air. The vineyard experience includes a tasting of five wines and a Mainz vintner’s snack of Weck and Worscht. These experiences give wine traditions a distinct place in your stay, alongside museums, architecture and walking routes.

Another regional food and wine tradition is the Mainz Market Breakfast. It takes place on Saturdays from March to November and pairs a glass of Mainz wine spritzer from the Mainz vintners’ stand with a bread roll and bologna sausage. Traditionally, it includes Weck, Worscht and Woi. As dates and booking details for guided experiences may vary, check these and the latest Market Breakfast information in advance.

Choose Accommodation to Suit Your Stay

The city centre is a useful reference point for shops and getting around on foot; you can also compare your own sightseeing priorities with the location you want for your accommodation. This way, your search reflects the kind of stay you actually have planned.

Discover More Destinations

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Back to the main travel overview: Rhineland-Palatinate.