The Best Of Mainz Germany Tourism ! Top Tourist Attractions...
In a world that is positively bursting at the seams with weird and wonderful places to visit, it can sometimes be easy to overlook other lesser-known destinations that may have so much to offer those who are willing to try somewhere a little different. Indeed, most people will already know about popular cities such as Paris, Rome and London; in fact such places can sell themselves to prospective visitors by the mere mention of their name alone. However, the world is also full of hidden gems, such as Mainz, the capital of the German federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate.
Located in western Germany on the banks of the river Rhine, Mainz has over 2000 years of history, dating all the way back to Roman times. But, the city's biggest claim to fame is perhaps as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the architect of what Time-Life magazine heralded as the greatest invention of the past 1000 years.
Gutenberg's printing press enabled what is generally considered to be the earliest form of 'mass communication', in that texts could be printed and distributed en masse. As such, knowledge could subsequently be distributed at much greater speed which ultimately facilitated the spread of reading and writing throughout the world.
And today, in the charming little city of Mainz, homage is still paid to the great man via the Gutenberg Museum, which is one of the oldest printing museums in the world.
Situated opposite the cathedral in the old part of Mainz, the museum was founded in the early 20th century, some five hundred years after the death of Johannes Gutenberg. Among the museum's prize collections are two copies of a Gutenberg bible, which are the original Latin translations that Gutenberg himself printed in Mainz back in the fifteenth century. Only forty eight copies of the bible are still known to exist throughout the world.
But of course, no place can rest on the laurels of one historical figure alone, and Mainz has plenty more to offer those who decide to venture to this splendid little city.
The Romanesque-style Mainz Cathedral, close to the historical centre and pedestrianised market square, was started in the late 10th century and offers a great opportunity to see religious and cultural artefacts dating back a whole millennium.
And for those simply wanting to soak in the small-city feel of Mainz, then it's worth taking a leisurely stroll towards the old town, to see the quarter that wasn't destroyed in the Second World War. This area is the pride and joy of the city, consisting of large squares, timbered houses and a myriad of Baroque churches; intertwined with stylish boutiques, cafes and wine bars, making any visit to this magnificent city a joy.
And, with so much to offer even the most discerning of visitors, hotels in Mainz are always going to be in great demand; however, the hoards of tourists that are so evident in the bigger European cities aren't so prevalent here. But Mainz manages to blend the best qualities of a large city with the quainter joys of a small town, ensuring a trip to remember for everyone.