The imposing six-towered structure of Mainz Cathedral stands sentinel to centuries of history and soars over the city of Mainz. It is not only one of the most celebrated Romanesque religious architecture in Germany, but is also a hub of immense religious and political power. Behind its ancient walls are tombs of princes and archbishops, while the treasury safeguards a collection of precious artwork from several eras. The cathedral museum is worth a stop to check out the documents and objects that tell the story of the cathedral.
, Germany, +49
St. Augustine’s Church is unanimously agreed by architecture enthusiasts to be a Baroque masterpiece. Built in 1768-71, this was one of the few monuments in the country to escape damage during World War II. The interior of the church has wow-inducing Rococo decor, frescoes and gilded stucco work, not to mention some fascinatingly intricate sculptures, the most loved being the one depicting Mary’s coronation.
Landesmuseum (Mainz State Museum) houses an admirable collection of objects and artifacts across the fields of archeology, art and culture spanning centuries, starting from prehistoric times to the modern era, including an art collection that Napoleon donated to the museum. Expect to spend several hours admiring paintings of Mary by Master of the Housebook, paintings by Hans Baldung Grien, ivory objects, sculptures, Stone Age tools, a beautiful painting of Mary with Child by Lorenzo di Credi, and lots more.
The 25-acre Botanischer Garden is the pride of the University of Mainz as well as of the city. Strolling along the walkways of the garden allows you to take in a whopping 8,500 species of plants and flowers from all over the world. Visitors especially love touring the alpine garden as well as the arboretum.
This temple, dedicated to the ancient Egyptian goddess Isis and the Oriental deity Magna Mater, is located in an unlikely place – the ground floor of a shopping mall! However, it makes sense when you learn that the ruins of a temple from the period 300-400 AD were unearthed during the construction of the mall. Findings including around 300 clay lamps, tablets, statuettes of Mercury and Venus, and sacrificial offerings, all of which are displayed in glass cases for visitors to appreciate.
, Germany, +49
