10 Terrific Places to Visit in Mainz, Germany

The towering sandstone cathedral is associated with tremendous religious and political significance. The solemn, ancient walls hold several tombs of princes and archbishops, and valuable religious artworks from the eras bygone.

Dominated by gorgeous squares and old half-timbered houses, the Old Town will transport you back to ancient times.

Restored after suffering massive damage during the Second World War, the 10th century Collegiate church is renowned for its stunning, peerless blue stained glass windows designed by Marc Chagall.

Dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, the famed inventor of the movable metal type printing press, the museum highlights include a recreation of the original printing press, bookplates belonging to famous personalities, and the rare Gutenberg Bibles.

One of the few churches in Mainz to escape relatively unscathed from the Second World War, the church of St. Augustin is much admired for the splendor of its Rococo interiors.

A part of the University of Mainz, the Botanischer Garten houses an arboretum, greenhouses and an alpine garden with around 8,500 species of regional and tropical plants.

The beautiful square in front of the Mainz Cathedral is dotted with half-timbered homes and outstanding monuments, including the Marktbrunnen (Market Fountain).

The square comes alive with activity on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings where locals and tourists flood the market, hunting for fresh produce.

Well-preserved remains of Roman warships and their replicas, and a glimpse into the history of the city’s shipbuilding are the crowning glory of this museum.

In 2000, ruins of a beautiful, ancient temple dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis and Magna Mater was unearthed in the most unlikely of places – underneath a shopping center!

One of the oldest museums in Mainz, this museum includes a large collection of paintings donated by Napoleon to the city in 1803. The extensive paraphernalia encompasses tools from prehistoric ages, Baroque and Renaissance artifacts, and laudable paintings from the 19th and 20th centuries.