The grand capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate of Germany is the city of Mainz. Mainz occupies a central location in Frankfurt Rhine-Main area and is also the largest city. It is in-fact situated on the 50th latitude, right on the west bank of the river Rhine, exactly opposite to the point of confluence of the Main and Rhine.
The climate of Mainz as per the Köppen climate classification is categorised as an oceanic climate type. The hottest months are June, July and August. During these months the temperature averages at around 23 degree centigrade. On the other hand the coldest moths are December, January, and February. During these months the average temperature reaches -1.6 degree centigrade.
History
The city’s name has undergone several changes throughout history. After all the Romanesque, Celtic, Latin and central Asian influences, the current formation of the name originated during the 15th century. Furthermore, post the 18th century, there has hardly been any change in the name. As far as the first permanent settlement in this region is concerned, it is regarded to have been of Celtic origin, which is again said to have been during the second half of the first millennium.
The civilization of Mainz was primarily the result of a citadel that was built here by the Holy Roman Empire, it is said to have originated sometime around 38 BC. It was the strategic central location of the city that had first intrigued the Holy Roman Empire which later-on translated into it becoming a major trade centre. Furthermore, the ideal confluence of Rhineland and Main made it suitable enough for trade to prosper. You can find artefacts dating back to the following time stored and archived in the Landesmuseum. Most of today’s architecture and cityscape dates back to the time period of 11th and 13th century. But, the oldest and the most prominent structure in the city is the Dom, the Cathedral of St. Martin and St. Stephan which originated in the year A.D. 975. A certain idea of the time can be assessed from the Dom und Diözesanmuseum in the cathedral cloisters. What is probably most striking is the lavish grandiose and opulence that the Church of Mainz had under its influence.
Interestingly, the beginning of urbanisation in Mainz was a result of the double legion camps of Mogontiacum. The modern day Kästrichs is where the then settlement was situated. This settlement in the due course of time would amass more area and thus grow in size, furthermore, with the construction of the Rhine Bridge – the strategic and economic importance of the region grew manifolds.
Till about the first decade of the 5th century, Mainz remained under the control of the Vandals, Alans and Suebi. Furthermore, under the Frankish rule, during the year 480 A.D. the gradual accent of the settlements towards the city began. In 782 with the efforts of Archbishop Boniface the spread of Christianity furthered in the East and an Archdiocese was established in Mainz.
During the Middle Ages Christianity prospered in the region. Archbishops of Mainz acted as archchancellors of the Holy Roman Empire, until its very end in 1806. The diocese of Mainz is also the only remaining diocese today which has an episcopal see which is called the Holy see. Mainz was indeed very important in the Christian tradition, the Archbishop located here acted as substitutes of the Pope on the northern side of the Alps.
Another majorly significant year in the history of Mainz is 1244, when a citizen’s charter was granted to the people by Archbishop Siegfried III. Furthermore, the politicization of the region thereon could not be stopped. As a result feuds would originate between the Archbishops themselves.
The republicanisation of Mainz in-fact started with the French Revolutionary army embarking upon and occupying Mainz in 1792. The Republic of Mainz was proclaimed by the Jacobins and other regional democrats. Later-on conflict of interest emerged between the Prussians who were in opposition to the democratic rule and the Republicans from France who in the guise of an apparent free state were anyway dominating Mainz. As a result the region underwent a siege that lasted 18 weeks, post which the French troops ended up surrendering on the 23rd of July 1793. Nearly 4 years later, Napoleon Bonaparte would emerge as a strong French ruler and then occupy Mainz to the west of the river Rhine. Subsequently, the Treaty of Campo Fornio was signed which would award the entire region to France.
Furthermore, it would not be until the founding of the German Empire in 1871 when Mainz would move out of French control. The city began expanding and industrialising in the coming years. It was all due to the efforts of master builder of the city, Eduard Kreyßig. He is responsible for a number of state of the art buildings and structures which have dominated the cityscape.
The 20th century was turbulent for the entire continent due to the World Wars. The French would again come to occupy Mainz between 1919 and 1930 with effect due to the Treaty of Versailles. With the rise of separatist movements, the French occupation did end, and subsequently the German Socialist Party came to dominate power and its leader, Adolf Hitler would become the German Chancellor in January 1933.
During the Second World War and the massive amounts of air raids, nearly eighty percent of the cities centre was destroyed and with the end of the war till 1949 Mainz would again be controlled by France. As the French army withdrew, Mainz fell under the control of Untied States Army Europe which had a military base there. Today you can find the Mainz Sand Dunes being used as a training arena. The region is also where the headquarters of Bundeswehr’s Wehrbereichskommando II is located.
Travelling to Mainz
Reaching Mainz is not at all a matter of challenge. You’d be surprised how well connected the city is internally and from the outside world.
If you are going to travel by flight, in that case the easiest way is reaching Frankfurt International Airport. From this point you can travel using the S8 local train which is in-fact the most ideal way to travel in and around Germany. While travelling on the S8 make sure that you travel towards Wiesbaden. This train will take two stops in Mainz, the stations are: Mainz Hauptbahnhof or Mainz Römisches Theatre. The train travels at an interval of every 30 minutes, daily and the travel time does not exceed more beyond 30 minutes. So there is hardly any scope of inconvenience. Furthermore, if you choose Cologne/Bonn Airport, in that case there is a direct ICE connection or you might as well choose the shuttle service to Frankfurt-Hann airport and from there on travel using the S8.
The largest railway station in Mainz is the Mainz Hauptbahnhof or the main station. It is located on the western edge of the city and is the main hub from where most major trains depart. From this station you can find InterCity and Inter City Express trains that depart on regular intervals on a daily basis.
The other important station is the Mainz Römisches Theatre or the Roman theatre station. This one is located on the south end of the centre. From this station you can find trains which are regionally bound and is the major stop for all the commuter trains.
Finding cars for hire is quite easy in Germany. It might be a little pricy but in broad perspective is also quite convenient because you can take the automobile wherever and it will be at the disposal of your whim and fancy. Moreover, you can choose the following routes in case you choose this mode of transportation:
- A60: from Lille, Charleroi, Liège (E42)
- A61: from Koblenz, Bad Kreuznach, Worms
- A63: from Kaiserslautern
- A66: from Fulda, Frankfurt am Main
Busses are also an important and comfortable mode of transportation in the region. You can travel using a range of long touring busses such as the Euroline.
The major stoppage for these busses is Hauptbahnhof. From here you can also find busses which are locally bound and also the ones which are going towards the countryside.
The Frankfurt Hahn Airport is another important terminal stop for the busses. Busses bound to Mainz depart at an interval of every 90 minutes from the airport stop. You can also travel using the ORN bus which can be spotted right outside the police office of the main railway station. ORN’s service should not last more than 60-70 minutes.
Moreover, if you want to travel using an alternative mode, then probably the most exciting way would be by using the Boat. You can find many companies which offer ferry services, river cruising among others. Generally, they leave from Cologne or Koblenz while terminating in Mainz. If you desire to cruise on the Rhine River then you can opt for KD Rhine River Cruise Pass. The cruise travels throughout the Rhine, going all the way up to Cologne.
What is there to see in Mainz?
When travelling in a city, the ideal explorer should be on foot to get everything. You might never know what you’ll spot. The most memorable experiences while traveling are when you go out of the comfort zone that is not follow what the map or the book says. Moreover, the city of Mainz is well lit and signposts are there everywhere so meandering around will not be a problem. In case you get lost then just enquire form the hearty and helpful localities or just use the GPS.
Following is a list of a few of the major sites that can be explored:
- Dom St. Martin: This Romanesque Cathedral is among the oldest cathedrals in Germany.
- ‘Stephanskirche: These are the globally renowned Chagalla windows.
- Christuskirche: This Church belongs to the age of Renaissance in Mainz
- Mainz Synagogue: Designed by the famous architect Manuel Herz, it is the most recently constructed Synagogues on the German land. Its architecture is what has been intriguing travellers and designers the most.
- Theodor Heuss Rhine Bridge: This Bridge is located between Mainz and Mainz-Kastel. It is among the only three bridges that connect Wiesbaden with Mainz and with the Hesse. The bridge like most of the prominent structures of Germany was damaged heavily during the World Wars. It was later-on reconstructed daring the 1950’s. It was also renamed and this time after the first President of the Federal Republic of Germany. During war time, River Rhine actually served as a border between the sectors occupied the American and the French troops.
- City Hall: This magnificent structure was built during the 1970’s using massive amounts of marbles in the façade which were brought from Sweden.
- Schillerplatz: It is centrally located in Mainz and is characterised by an intricate leafy square and a fountain.
- The Gutenberg Museum: The museum largely comprises of exhibitions. Here you can find the representations of the print shops and the famous hand press of Gutenberg. Along with these, there are exhibits of incunabula and in the strong room of the museum – on display there you can find the first two Gutenberg bibles. You can also spot a unique section which caters to coloured wood-carvings and Japanese prints. In this block in-fact you will find many exhibits form the Far East. Also, there are features from the electronic future books.
- Museum für Antike Schifffahrt: It is the Museum of Ancient Sea Travel. You can find here remains and artefacts that date back to the 5th century Roman warships. These remains were salvaged in the 1980’s from the Rhine. Later-on real life replicas of these ships were made which are the ones that are on display. Visitors can also look at the museums workshop and the laboratories.
There are many restaurants and bars along the banks of the Rhine which offer scopes of amazing nightlife and enjoyment. Furthermore, Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays are the days when the local town market is setup and you can simply go on foot and explore.
It is by exploring you can also taste the regional delicacies and culinary specialities. On the must try list should be the Spundekäse and Handkäse – these are the famous varieties of cheese found in the region. Moreover, as far as accommodation goes, the city also offers all ranges of accommodations for the travellers and explores.