Mainz

Travel times from Trier:
Train – 2 hours, 25 mins.
Car – 1 hour, 30 mins.

Mainz is a regal city that dates back to Roman times and is closely associated with the reigns of its Prince Electors and the invention of modern printing by one of its native sons.  These attractions sometimes take a backseat to shopping during the holiday season, though, as the Christmas Fair holds court in the Old Town.  Against the imposing backdrop of the Cathedral of St. Martin, the Market Square is ablaze with light as craftsmen peddle their Christmas specialties. You’ll find unique gifts arranged in the fondly decorated stalls situated in the idyllic alleys of the Old Town. Traditional crafts, ceramics, candles, wooden toys, carvings, and more will be available to peruse. The must-see attraction at Mainz’s market is the hand-carved crèche with its life-sized figures.

Visitors can’t move on to the next market, though, without taking time to explore this ancient city further.  The city is self-confident and proud of its rich culture as one of Germany’s oldest cities. You can experience four thousand years of writing from all over the world at the Gutenberg Museum, where the “Man of the Millennium’s” workshop has been reconstructed.  With a large number of printing implements, old presses and typesetting machines, the history of letterpress printing comes to life. The main focus of the permanent exhibition is a collection of important printed works from the 15th century to the present. The highlights are two copies of the world-famous 42-line Gutenberg Bible.

The Prince-Elector Palace was built from 1729-1740 for Franz Ludwig von Pfalz-Neuburg, Prince Elector and Archbishop of Mainz, in a style heavily influenced by French Baroque architecture.  Franz Ludwig never had the pleasure of living in the palace, though, as he died during its construction. The site he chose for the palace was in close vicinity to his residence, the Electoral Palace. This means you won’t have far to walk from the Prince-Elector Palace another of Mainz’s main attractions.

The Electoral Palace’s east wing is one of the last examples of German Renaissance architecture. It is a regal building of red sandstone with turrets at each corner and beautiful detailing around the windows.  It now houses the renowned Romano-Germanic Central Museum, an interesting showcase of Roman, Medieval, and earlier artifacts.

Mainz’s most popular area for a stroll is Augustiner Street, the city’s main business thoroughfare until the 17th century. Surrounded by boutiques, cafes, pubs, and residential buildings, the magnificent façade of the towering Augustiner Church stands out. The 18th century church survived WWII undamaged, unlike many of the city’s other churches. Venture inside to explore the impressive gilded interior in its original state, including ceiling frescoes depicting the life of St. Augustine and the history of the order which had its home on Augustiner Street since the 13th Century.

Mainz’s next-door neighbor, Wiesbaden, is just 15 minutes by car or train, making it a perfect day trip to pack in another cheerful market.  Wiesbaden’s Twinkling Star Christmas Market is located in the idyllic Schlossplatz alongside the historic city palace.
Four entry gates, decorated with the golden lilies of the city's coat of arms lend access to this quaint fairytale scenery. Arts and crafts, some of them created while you watch, are offered at nostalgic market stands, all designed in the traditional Wiesbaden colors of blue and gold. Some of the novelties offered include gifts made from olive wood, beekeeper’s specialties, glassblowing and the world champion of confectioners. Children can enjoy merry-go-round and toy-train rides around the shimmering Christmas tree. Seasonal concerts, ice skating, carol singing, nativity plays, and fairytale tellers add to this charming atmosphere.