Roman Legacy and the Gutenberg Press: A Guide to Mainz's Old Town

Mainz is where Romans built theatres and fortresses, archbishops wielded power, and Gutenberg revolutionized information with the printing press. On this self-guided walking tour through the medieval old town, you’ll hear all about the Holy Roman Empire’s power, Napoleon’s ambitions, and a remarkable Jewish artist’s gift of reconciliation.

The tour begins at the magnificent 1,000-year-old St. Martin’s Cathedral, a powerful symbol of Mainz’s religious importance as the Rome of the North. You'll wander past Heunensäule (Haystack Pillar) in Marktplatz, and through cobblestone squares and narrow alleys to discover vibrant wine houses and meticulously preserved half-timbered buildings. The tour concludes on Augustinerstrasse, Mainz’s popular shopping street, where you can easily return to the Old Town or stop for a glass of local Rheinhessen wine.

This tour is designed in two parts. You can take an optional break after exploring the Altstadt (Old Town) and Gutenberg’s legacy before continuing to St. Stephen’s Church, the city’s impressive hilltop Citadel, and the ruins of the largest Roman amphitheater north of the Alps. Along the way, you’ll discover how this resilient city was rebuilt after the devastating WWII bombings, and why locals proudly celebrate their carnival traditions.

On this 75-minute walk, you’ll have a chance to:

• Visit Kirschgarten, a beautifully preserved medieval square with connections to Gutenberg’s printing press invention
• Examine the Haystack Pillar, with its bronze motifs depicting Mainz’s history, from Roman helmets to jesters’ caps
• Learn the meaning behind Mainz’s double-wheel emblem and how Archbishop Willigis embraced this symbol, despite its mocking origins
• Get a taste of the city’s wine house culture, where locals enjoy Weck, Worscht un Woi (bread, sausage, and wine)
• Spot whimsical Mainzelmännchen cartoon characters at pedestrian crossings, celebrating the city’s connection to national television
• Admire the stunning blue-hued Chagall windows at St. Stephen’s Church, created as a symbol of Franco-German friendship and Jewish-Christian unity

Join me for this delightful walk through Mainz, where ancient history, wine culture, and artistic treasures create a uniquely captivating experience along the Rhine.