Mainz was founded in 39 BC by the Romans as Mogontiacum. Throughout the Roman period it remained an important city housing up to 16,000 Romans at times. A wooden bridge across the Rhine was built in 27 AD and a stone one followed about a century later. This…Read More

Mainz was founded in 39 BC by the Romans as Mogontiacum. Throughout the Roman period it remained an important city housing up to 16,000 Romans at times. A wooden bridge across the Rhine was built in 27 AD and a stone one followed about a century later. This bridge was protected at the opposite bank of the Rhine by a castle, which gave the small town of Mainz-Kastel its name. Through an oddity of post Second World War political geography, Mainz-Kastel is now part of the city of Wiesbaden, which is the capital of the state of Hesse, while the wine growing area around Mainz is known as Rheinhesse, but part of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

At times the Roman borders, known as the Limes line, extended several hundred kilometers across form the Rhine. There were attempts to conquer most of what is contemporary Germany in order to extend the border of the Roman Empire to the Elbe River. However, attacks from German tribes increased and by the end of the third century the Rhine was again the final frontier of the Roman Empire. On New Year’s Eve 406 the Rhine froze over and the German tribes crossed the river. Mainz was sacked and the Romans abandoned the city eventually to be settled by the Franks.

From around 750 AD Mainz was regaining in importance after St Boniface, the Anglo-Saxon missionary who brought Christianity to the Germans, settled here. The reign of Bishop Willigud from 975 to 1011 brought Mainz especial glory, as he was not only one of the electors of the German king but also the chancellor of the realm. For centuries the elections of the German kings, who mostly became Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire as well, were held under the auspices of the Archbishop of Mainz and the coronations took place in the Mainz Cathedral. Although the elections and coronations moved to Frankfurt by the fourteenth century, the Archbishopric of Mainz remained one of the most powerful and wealthiest posts in the German-speaking world. The bishop owned large tracts of land, most of the monasteries in the area were under his control, and he earned tolls at several strategic trading points.

Around 1440 Johannes Gutenberg invented the first printer with movable type in Mainz, however through his lack of business acumen others benefited most from it. Mainz did become an important center of the press, a position that continued into the modern era with Germany’s second public television broadcaster (ZDF) and several publishing houses located in the city.

The French long had the wish to make the Rhine the eastern border and this was realized in the early nineteenth century when Napoleon passed by several times and made Mayence a privilege city in his empire. He also secularized the monasteries and came close to destroying the Mainz cathedral as well. In the chaos of the collapse of the Napoleonic regime Mainz briefly became a republic - the first in Germany. The fear that the French would again try to gain the left bank of the Rhine contributed to the rise of Rhine Romanticism and nationalism in Germany, which culminated in the Prussian-French war of 1870-71 and the final unification of the German Empire under Prussian control.

Although most of the Old Town was destroyed during the Second World War, Mainz was rebuilt sympathetically combining older and modern styles. Although Mainz became the capital of the federal state of Rhineland Palatinate (Rhineland Pfalz) it somehow remained a small city with less than 200 000 inhabitants.

Mainz is at the heart of Germany's Riesling wine growing region, so be certain to sip some of this delightful wine while in the city. But the Germans are master brewers, so sip some suds while you're here, too. For an especially fun time, go to…Read More

Mainz is at the heart of Germany's Riesling wine growing region, so be certain to sip some of this delightful wine while in the city. But the Germans are master brewers, so sip some suds while you're here, too.

For an especially fun time, go to the Eisgrub-Brau, where you can enjoy some fine brew-pub beer, as well as a buffet array of one authentic German dish after another for just $5.50 Euro. I went back for seconds on the potato salad! And the potato pancakes were outstanding too. But, believe me, I ate more than potatoes here.

Established in 1872, this microbrewery was cool before microbreweries were cool, and, judging from those who eat here, the locals know a good thing when they see it. While individuals will enjoy it here, long wooden tables make it ideal for groups to enjoy.

So, to do this buffet justice, come hungry, and don't fill up on the pretzels. Save room for outstanding German cuisine at its best.

But German chefs know how to do more than prepare authentic German classic recipes. Dine at the Heiliggeist (Holy Ghost Hospital), and you'll find out that they can cook up some pretty modern dishes as well. In this dining room with subdued lighting, vaulted ceilings, and tables with marble inserts, I felt as if I could have been in Italy as well.

And, judging from the variety of pizzas on the menu, I could have been. The Tricolore that I ordered had barbecued chicken, pesto, grilled shrimp, ricotta, eggplant, and Mozzarella--among other things. My colleagues said it should have been called "everything but the kitchen sink." I especially liked the chicken, but just couldn't do justice to it all. It could have easily fed two.

I sipped on a refreshing 1980 Johanna Klostergarten Grauburgunder QbA trocken Rhinehessen, but noted that the menu contained drinks from Absolut Vodka to Jack Daniels. Teas ranged from peppermint tea to Earl-Grey.

OK. We said that Mainz combines history and partying, and that's what we'll talk about here. Mainz likes to celebrate and has numerous festivals throughout the year. Its famous carnival, for example, is one of Germany's largest and longest-lasting. It starts on November 11 and…Read More

OK. We said that Mainz combines history and partying, and that's what we'll talk about here. Mainz likes to celebrate and has numerous festivals throughout the year. Its famous carnival, for example, is one of Germany's largest and longest-lasting. It starts on November 11 and lasts until Ash Wednesday the next year. Talk about a party that doesn't end.

The best place to go to get an idea of the city's party atmosphere is the famous Carnival Fountain (Fastnachtsbrunner), which has been located on busy Schilerplatz since 1967. This whimsical sculpture by Blaius Spreng of Munich shows some 250 figures and carnival symbols in a towering sculpture, where water bubbles over enthusiastic party goers--from cats to clowns. Be certain to notice the soldier at the bottom who is washing his empty purse.

2009 was the year Germany "celebrated" the anniversary of the Varus Battle. This battle had some significance for European history. Hence we decided to indulge in a bit of culture and go to the Saalburg, which is the reconstruction of a Roman Fort along what…Read More

2009 was the year Germany "celebrated" the anniversary of the Varus Battle. This battle had some significance for European history. Hence we decided to indulge in a bit of culture and go to the Saalburg, which is the reconstruction of a Roman Fort along what used to be the "Limes". The Saalburg is literally in the middle of a forest, so we had to find a place to stay to make a week-end of it. Frankfurt is nearby, but so is Mainz, which in Roman times was known as Mogontiacum. Mainz is on the river Rhine, then the frontier of the Roman Empire. Today it is the capital city of the Rhineland-Palatinate and has a lot more history to offer to tourists than only its Roman past. Mainz was where Johann Gänsfleisch zur Laden zum Gutenberg (aka Gutenberg) invented the art of printing. This is just one example of Mainz’s rich history. Close