A dancer, music, an empty room: Ballet director Martin Schläpfer turns it into a universe in movement, suspense and imagination. His dance company balletmainz is among the most noted ensembles in Germany. And has contributed much to Mainz’s reputation as a cultural city.

Even beyond ballet, the State Theatre Mainz enjoys high standing as the home of drama, opera and music. The theatre, with its Large House, in the building from 1833 designed by Georg Moller, and the modern Small House lie at the centre of Mainz, at the heart of its cultural life.

A further cultural jewel is the Landesmuseum which, after renovation, is going completely new ways. Once the Electoral Stables, only the Golden Horse on the roof of the baroque building recalls its original significance. Today it houses major collections ranging from the early period to the modern. And it is one of a series of noteworthy museums in Mainz: the Roman-Germanic Central Museum, the Museum of Ancient Shipping and the Natural History Museum with its unique fauna and flora. Touching allowed. 

But Mainz is also famous for this: Satirical revues and cabaret ! The stage of the “unterhaus” has been the springboard to great careers for many comedy stars. They like to come back: to the city, to the people of Mainz and their visitors. Because, as the saying puts it so succinctly, laughter is infectious. For the citizens of Mainz laughter is part of their way of life. Whether highly discerning, such as in the Mainz Music Summer and the master concerts, or indigenously entertaining, whether experimental, modern or tradition-conscious – art and culture