Mainz
Walking Tour:
Historic
By: Laura Gooderham
Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
This tour begins at the Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof (main train station). All of
the attractions are free, with the exception of the Gutenberg Museum (the prices
are listed below). The tickets for the train can be purchased at either the ticket
counter or at any of the automatic ticket machines. Group tickets are available for
groups of 5 or more people. The cost is about 4.40 Euro for a round trip per
person. Once at the station you will look for the yellow signs which mark the
departure times and track number for all of the trains. You will be looking for
either an S8 or S9 towards Mainz Hauptbahnhof, Gross Gerau. This means that it
goes past the Mainz Hauptbahnhof to the Mainz Römisches Theater stop. There
are approximately 4 stops from Wiesbaden Hauptabhanhof to Mainz Römisches
Theater. Those stops are Wiesbaden Ost., Mainz Nord, and Mainz Hauptbhanhof.
Listen to the announcements, they will tell you what stop is coming up next and
which side to exit. (Quick German Links=Left, Rechts=Right). Some trains may not
stop at the smaller stops like Wiesbaden Ost and Mainz Nord, it is important that
you listen to the announcements or look at the signs. Each station has a sign
posted where a passenger on the train can read see the name of the station. This
is very helpful to keep the group from getting lost.
Roman Theater. Once at the Mainz Römisches Theater station, go to the
platform furthest from the station. From this platform you can see the
archeological dig of the Roman Theater for which the train stop is named. This
theater dates from around 100 AD. It seated 10,000 people making it the largest
Roman theater north of the Alps!!
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Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
Next stop, the Roman Boat Museum! (No. 2b Neutorstrasse) To leave the train
station take the stairs underground. Look for the sign “zu Stadt” this will lead you
out of the train station and to the city. Once outside of the train station you will
see Holzhofstrasse directly in front of you. Take a right on Holzhofstrasse and
walk straight to the corner of the Cinestar (a huge movie theater) this will be on
your right. Cross the street at the Cinestar and you will see the Roman Ship
Museum (Museum für Antike Schiffahrt) directly in front of you to the right. The
entrance is to the right.
Ouside of the museum.
Roman ship.
Roman Ship Museum: This museum has ruins from several Roman ships which
were found in the city of Mainz. Most of Mainz is built over Roman ruins. Along
with the ruins there are replicas of each of the ships. These replicas were made at
the wood shop in the museum. You can still see them working on replicas in the
workshop. The roman ship ruins in the museum are from the 3rd and 4th centuries
and were found in the 1980’s. You can also find many Roman reliefs with
representations of ships. Unfortunately all of the information signs are in German,
but the most of the museum workers speak English and will help you. Opening
times: Tuesdays to Sundays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Mondays closed. Entrance is free.
Next Stop the Holzturm! When you exit the museum, turnright on
Holzhofstrasse, then left on Rheinstrasse go straight until you reach the tower.
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Holzturm: When translated
into English means “wood tower”.
This tower was built in the early
1400’s as part of the old fortification
(city wall) which surrounded the city
of Mainz. It is at the site of the
former wood market which gives it
the name. Schinderhannes, a famous
thief of Germany was imprisoned in
the tower and was later beheaded
outside of the gates. In the
embrasure, there are high water
marks from floods in 1565, 1573, and
1784.
Next stop, the St. Augustinerkirche! (No 34 and 40 Augustinerstrasse) From the
tower turn left on to Holzstrasse. Go straight and then take a right on
Augustinestrasse. A little up the road to your right will be the church St.
Augustinerkirche.
St. Augustinerkirche: Is a rococo
style church made from red
sandstone. The church was built
from 1768 to 1772. The large frescos
show the life of St. Augustine done by
Johann Baptist Enderle from
Donauwörth.
Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
The organ, built in 1773 by Johann
Heinrich Stumm, is one of the few
organs left by this artist, and ranks as
one of the most significant Late
Baroque style organs. Weekly you
can go and hear organ concerts in the
church.
Open hours: Monday – Friday 8 am –
5 pm, Saturday/Sunday: no fixed
opening hours.
Next stop, the Kirchgarten!! Take a right outside of the church back on to
Augustinstrasse. Head straight until you see the half timbered houses and a fork
of three roads.
Kirchgarten Square: These half-timbered houses are found in the square called
kirchgarten (cherry garden) which was named after the famous cherry orchard
that was once there. These half timbered houses are commonly found all
throughout Germany)and are a beautiful reminder of old Germany. Number 1,
Leichhofstrasse was built in the early 1600’s. Number 16, 26-28, and 30 were all
built between the late 1400’s and early 1500’s.
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Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
Next stop, the Dome! Take the furthest right street onto Leichhofstrasse. From
there you should be able to see the Dome directly in front of you. Walk around
the Dome on Schöfferstrasse. As you walk down the street Johanniskirche will be
on your left across from the Dome. Walk left around the Dome to the entrance
which will be on your right.
Dome: The Cathedral of St Martin
and St Stephan is known to the
people of Mainz as “The Dome.” The
Mainz Dome was modeled after St.
Peter’s Basilica in Rome and was built
by archbishop Willigis of Mainz.
Construction started in the year 975,
but with the exception of two
staircase towers which survive, the
building burnt to the ground shortly
before consecration in 1009.
Over the centuries seven coronations of kings have taken place here and there
have been seven fires. Many bishops and important figures are buried here and;
for example in the gardens you can see some of the older bishops who were
buried there.
Opening hours are:
1 March to 31 October: Mo - Fr 9 am 6.30 pm, Sa 9 am – 4 pm, Su 12.45 – 3
pm and 4 - 6.30 pm
1 November to end of February: Mo Fr 9 am - 5 pm, Sa 9 am – 4 pm, Su
12.45 – 3 pm and 4 – 5 pm
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Next stop, the Gutenberg Museum! (No. 5 Liebfrauenplatz) Come out the same
door you entered and take a right. Through the Liebfrauenplatz to your left will be
the Gutenberg Museum.
Gutenberg Museum: This museum is dedicated to the famous inventor of the
printing press and removable type. There you can walk around and view the
history of printing. During certain tours you can see a replication of Gutenberg’s
press and how it works. The original Gutenberg Bibles can be seen here and are
the most famous attraction of this museum. These were the very first Bibles
printed and they made Johann Gutenberg famous.
The administrative offices for the
museum are in this building which
was originally built in 1653, and
rebuilt after being destroyed in the
WWII. From 1742 the building was a
hotel in which Mozart, Goethe,
Voltaire and other prestigious guests
stayed.
The modern building was built in the
1960’s for the museum’s exhibits.
Hours are Tuesday to Saturday: 9.00
a.m. - 5.00 p.m., Sunday: 11.00 a.m. 3.00 p.m. Closed on Mondays and on
public holidays.
Ticket Prices:EUR 5.00 (adult),EUR
2.00 (children/young people aged 8
to 18, EUR 3.00 (reduced fees for
students, disabled persons...)
For a group: EUR 3.50 (adult), EUR
1.50 (aged 8 to 18).
Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
Next stop the Heilig-Geist-Spital! (No 2 Rentengasse) Continue straight ahead
onto Liebfrauenplatz. Then take a left on to Rheinstrasse. Next take a left on to
Mailandsgasse. There you will be able to see the Heiliggeist Spital to your left.
Heilig-Geist-Spital: The Holy Ghost Hospital was built in 1236 as a church
hospital, but became a public city-owned hospital in 1244, making it the oldest
public hospital in Germany. It has been an inn or restaurant since 1863, and was
rebuilt to what is presumed to be it’s original Late Romanesque style in 1975.
Parts of the old church can be seen if you ask the staff.
Next stop the Eisenturm!! Take a left on Rheinstrasse from the church onto FritzArens Platz.
Eisenturm: This tower is one of the
many towers that once connected
the wall around Mainz. Eisenturm
means “iron tower” in English and
was the center of the iron market in
Mainz. It was built in 1240, and then
made taller in the 1400’s. In the 18th
century it was used as a prison.
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Today the tower is used for special
events such as art exhibitions. Look
closely, the side facing the Rhein river
is guarded by lions!!
Next stop, St. Quintin’s Church!! (Quintinstrasse 1) From the tower take a left
on to Quintinstrasse. At the end of the street you will find St. Quintin church on
your right.
St. Quintin’s: This church was built between 1288 and 1330. It was first
mentioned in 744 making it the oldest Parish in Mainz. It has been destroyed
several times and rebuilt with new additions, such as the wooden steeple in 1994.
Open daily from 10am – 6pm.
Next stop, St. Christof Church!! (Christofstrasse 8) Take a right out of the church
(St. Quintins) on to Hintere Christofgasse. At the end of the street you will find St.
Christof.
Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
St. Christof: This is the bombed remains of St. Christof. Here it is said Gutenberg
was baptized and inside you can see the baptismal font that Gutenberg was said
to be baptized in. It was built between 1292 and 1325 and destroyed in 1945. It is
kept now as a memorial for WWII.
Next stop, the Gutenbergplatz!! Take a left onto Christofgasse. Next a right onto
Alte Universitätstrasse. Then take a left onto Ludwigstrasse. You are now in
Gutenberg Square, and you will see the Theater on your right.
State Theater: The theater was built
in 1829-1833 in the place of a
“comedy playhouse” that was
ordered for that site by Napolean in
1804. During a total renovation from
1998 to 2001 the glass “crest” was
added on top.
Gutenberg Statue: Across the square from the theater is a statue to Gutenberg,
which was cast in 1837. The statue shows Gutenberg, with his business partner,
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Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
and a co-worker. The co-worker Peter Schöfer continued Gutenberg’s work
making several improvements to the printing press.
50 Degree of Latitude: Right in front of the Gutenberg statue is a brass rail
running through the pavement. This rail is the exact line of 50 degrees north
latitude.
Next stop, the Schillerplatz!! Continue along Ludwigstrasse, and cross the street
at Weisslillengasse.
You are now in the Schillerplatz named after Friedrich von Schiller. You’ll find a
statue of Schiller from 1859, and a “Carnival Fountain” with almost 200 figures
celebrating “Fasching” the German carival season.
Next stop, St. Stephan!! From the Schillerplatz, take a left onto Gaustrasse. Then
a left onto Ölgagasse. From here you can see St. Stephan.
St. Stephan: This church is famous for its blue stain glass windows by Marc
Chagall. During the Second World War the church was destroyed and then
restored with the famous Chagall windows. This was to represent all of the Jews
in WWII and serve as a memorial. The windows were finished just before the
artist died at the age of 97 and were his last works.
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Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
Opening hoursfor St. Stephan’s are:
November - February: Mo - Th 10 - 12 am and 2 – 4.30 pm Fr - Sa 10 am – 4.30
pm, Su 12 – 4:30 pm
March – October: Mo - Sa 10 am - 5 pm, Su 12 – 4.30 pm
Next stop, the Zitadelle!! Take a right at the end of the street
Then a left on to Gaustrasse. (I’d recommend saying Leave the church and turn
ritght on such and such street….)
Next a left on to Eisgrubweg (there you can see a sign for the Zitadelle)
Take the stairs up from the park to your right. (The park is a great place to stop
for lunch and has a great view of the city as well as a fun place to play.) Take a
left at the top of the park hill. On your left you will see the Zitadelle.
The Zitadelle: The Mainz Zitadelle has
been used since the middle ages. At
first it was part of a protective wall
around a monastery in 1329. When
the walls were connected in the
1620’s it became part of the city’s
fortification. In the 1800’s the
Zitadelle was used as barracks for the
Prussian army and in WWII it served
as a prison.
Today, it houses many municipal
buildings for the city of Mainz.
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You can spend as long as you like exploring the many paths seeing beautiful views
of the city of Mainz and finding more Roman ruins along the way. As you wander
around the Zitadelle you will find a huge tower this is called the Drusus Stone.
The Drusus Stone: Dates from a Roman military encampment in 13 A.D. Here a
yearly death cult ceremony was preformed honoring General Drusus who was the
step-son of Emperor Augustus.
Back to the Bahnhof!! Head back through the park and down the stairs.
Cross the street at the bottom of the stairs and then take a right onto
Weisslilengasse. Continue straight down Holzhofstrasse (the same street it just
changed names) Cross the street once you see the bahnhof which will be to your
right. Take the S8 towards Wiesbaden Hauptabahnhof.
This is the end of your tour.
Mainz Historic Trail: Gutenberg Route
References
"Admission." Gutenberg Museum. 09 Apr. 2008. 2 Jan. 2009
<http://www.gutenberg-museum.de/index.php?id=2>.
"Die Geschischte der Mainzer Zitadelle." Initiative Citadel Mainz. 2004. 2 Jan.
2009 <http://www.zitadelle-mainz.de>.
"Worth Seeing." Landeshauptstadt Mainz. 2009. 2 Jan. 2009
<http://www.mainz.de/WGAPublisher/online/html/default/mkuz5sybxc.en.html>.
Mainz City and Cathedral Guide, Michael Imhoff and Simone Kestin, Michael
Imhoff Verlag, Petersberg, 2004
Tours on Foot, Mainz, Hans Kersting, Heinrichs-Verlag, GMBH, Bamberg, 2003
I would like to recognize some of the many people who helped with this walking
tour the Stone family, my leader Mrs. Leknes, my advisor Mrs. Fry, Darren
Jennings,my Girl Scout troop4, my family and all of my friends who tested this
tour. Without them this would have never come together. Thank you.
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