The German city of Mainz offers a varied history and culture for visitors. With huge cathedrals and churches, medieval buildings, ancient museums and a variety of hotels Mainz is a popular destination.
The religious architecture is impressive in style and size. The catholic Martinsdom is over 1,000 years old and towers over the city, clearly visible wherever you are. It is constructed from red sandstone which makes it particularly striking and was originally modeled on St Peter's in Rome. Seven coronations took place at various times and the cathedral is full of historic reminders of its past including the tombs of many archbishops and spectacular bronze doors which date back to 1009 when the cathedral was all but destroyed by fire before its consecration. By contrast the protestant Christ Church is a wonderful example of the High Renaissance Style and was built in 1895. Its beautiful copper dome is its most dominant feature. Despite heavy damage in World War II, reconstruction took place and it is well worth visiting.
There is more than just religious buildings in the city and several fascinating museums offer a glimpse into the city's past. The Museum for Ancient Ship Building displays the remains of several ancient ships and has displays to explain how they were constructed. Some of the ships date back as far as 407 AD when the Romans were finally defeated. The Landesmuseum is one of the oldest museums in Germany and holds another collection of artifacts hard to rival with exhibits ranging from Stone Age, through the Byzantine period and up to the present day. It holds a Picasso portrait, a fine collection of coins, traditional Jugendstil glassworks and monuments, sculptures and paintings. Johannes Gutenberg, who invented the printing press, was born and worked in Mainz. The Gutenberg Bibles are particularly famous and the first books in the world were printed in the city. A unique collection of them, as well as Gutenberg's story and a history of the presses he invented can be found at the Gutenberg Museum. The Natural History Museum in the City is large and respected. Housed in a former monastery dating back to 1271 visitors can enjoy exhibitions of Zoology, Geology, Paleontology, Botany and Mineralogy. There are many interactive exhibitions and the collection continues to grow. Many museums are housed in wonderful buildings and the Roman and Germanic History Museum is no exception. It is housed in the Kurfurstliches Schloss, or Elector's Castle, dating from 1627 - 1776. Once visitors have been impressed by the Palace itself, they can visit the most famous inhabitant of the museum, the South Tyrol Ice Man. Many receptions in the hotels Mainz boasts have full details of visiting these attractions.
With a city of such ancient origins, visitors are often confronted with amazing relics and architecture as they stroll around the streets. At Untere Zahlbacher Strasse the pillars of a Roman aqueduct dating from the 1st century AD can be seen. Turning into the Old Town, beautifully restored 16th - 18th century half-timbered houses line the Kirschgarten, or Cherry Garden, street. The Old Town is a pleasant collection of narrow winding alleyways and streets with many cafes, beer cellars and restaurants offering refreshment. The Market Place lies next to the Cathedral and is a fascinating place to spend a few hours. Strolling around the fountains and eclectic statues ranging from pieces of modern sculpture to Egyptian style obelisks there are many stalls offering local delicacies to tempt the palette as well as fresh produce and traditional souvenirs, carvings and wooden toys. Many toss coins into the Marktbrunner which is the oldest well of its kind in Germany. Restaurants favor all palettes from throughout the world, but traditional food like Pumpkin Soup can also be sampled.
The hotels Mainz offers can be found in the center of the old town, in the business and shopping districts and range from modern chain hotels, unique boutique hotels and guest houses less than 5 minutes walk from the train and bus stations. With good transport links by road, rail and air, the city is an easy destination to reach and convenient for business travelers. Hotels offer a range of facilities for the business traveler including courier services, fax and photocopying facilities and conference and meeting rooms.
Mainz is an excellent place to use as a base to explore the Rhine and many cruises start from here.
Euro Currency
0.7607- |
0.7617- |
1.1950- |
0.0099
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