Explore Mainz Cathedral in Germany: Stunning Interior

One of the most important historically and architecturally important buildings in Mainz is that of Mainz Cathedral. Known in German as the Mainzer Dom, this ancient place of worship is visited by over a million people a year. Here’s your complete guide to the best of Mainz Cathedral, as well as how to visit, highlights, a history, and things to know before you go!

This was our first day of our second Europe tour, a road trip through 6 countries in 23 days.

Why Visit Mainz?

Mainz is a famous important city of Germany. Mainz (German – maints) is a port in W Germany, capital of the Rhineland-Palatinate, at the confluence of the Main and Rhine. Besides being famous for the Mainz Church, the city is famous for its university, its Roman heritage, its status as a media hub and as Germany’s wine capital. Its three most defining features are:

• The Romanesque Cathedral – For more than 1,000 years, the city’s skyline has been dominated by Mainz Cathedral, one of the most important religious buildings in Germany. We decided to focus on this.
• The Gutenberg Printing Press – Mainz is famous as the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of a movable type printing press. In the early 1450s he manufactured his first books in the city, including the Gutenberg Bible. (Sad part of my visit was that we missed this museum as it was closed due to Good Friday weekend or may be we were late. It was almost 5 PM.)
• The Rhineland Carnival – a month long citywide carnival celebration in Mainz, Germany, traditionally begins on 11th November, which happens to be St Martin’s Day. It lasts until Lent and culminates in six days of huge public parades, street parties and celebrations. These six days are called Mainz Carnival.

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Mainz Cathedral

We headed to Mainz Cathedral, a reddish brown massive structure, standing strong since 975 AD. This is yet another miraculously surviving cathedral of Germany because during World War II, Allied bombing of Mainz destroyed 80% of the city, but the cathedral was left almost entirely unharmed.

Officially known as St. Martin’s Cathedral, this Dom is one of the finest examples of Romanesque architecture. As usual I try to take the pictures of the impressive doorways the cathedrals of Europe have. These are pics of two doorways of the cathedral.

These are some of the surviving ornamental pieces of the cathedral from Romanesque pier basilica: the bronze door panels of the market portal.

Mainz Cathedral History

Mainz Cathedral has a rich history that dates back to its foundation stone being laid by Archbishop Willigis in 975. Modeled after old St. Peter’s in Rome, the cathedral has witnessed significant events over the centuries. It served as the site for seven coronations of kings. However, the original building was destroyed by a fire on the day of its consecration in August 1009. It took nearly three decades for the cathedral to be reconstructed, and it was finally usable again in 1036.

This cathedral burned seven times in the course of centuries, it was built that many times after and it miraculously survived the recent World War II bombings too. Reading historical facts like these made me want to visit the cathedral.

The interior is not exactly beautiful, but simple. There are tombs and funereal monuments of former Rhineland Prince Bishop Electors. Huge decorated pillars certainly demanded attention.

There are statues sculpted images and paintings of long forgotten bishops, lords, German and French saints. Walking past them was like walking through the alleys of history. There are numerous smaller chapels around the main altar, dedicated to different saints.

Construction of Mainz Cathedral

The architectural elements of Mainz Cathedral showcase different periods and styles. The oldest surviving pieces of ornamentation from the Romanesque pier basilica are the bronze door panels of the market portal, which date back to Archbishop Willigis’ time. The cathedral features a nave with two side aisles, two chancels dedicated to St. Martin and St. Stephen, and numerous side chapels.

Notably, the cathedral has undergone several reconstructions and renovations over the years, including the addition of a new spire to the west tower and the rebuilding of the crossing tower.

None of the old wall frescos and stain glass window exist today, what we see are the freshly made ones, some imitated versions too. The cathedral had housed French troops for 11 years during the Napoleonic occupation until 1814.

Recent Happenings in Mainz Cathedral

In recent times, Mainz Cathedral has become the final resting place for bishops and archbishops since 1928. The new crypt under the west chancel houses the burial site of 45 out of the 84 bishops and archbishops who have served in the diocese. The cathedral also boasts an impressive collection of grave monuments from the 11th to the 20th centuries, mounted on its pillars and walls, offering a glimpse into the history of the Mainz diocese.

The restored late Gothic exhibition rooms, which house religious art treasures from the late Middle Ages and the modern period are worth exploring.

The Ketteler Chapel, featuring the altar to the Virgin Mary with its notable wood carvings, including the beautiful Lady of Mainz, is another prominent attraction within the cathedral.

Other names of Mainz Cathedral: German: Mainzer Dom, Martinsdom or, officially, Der Hohe Dom zu Mainz, Martin’s Cathedral

How to reach Mainz Cathedral

We landed in Frankfurt airport from Bangalore. Since we were road tripping through Germany we reached Mainz from Frankfurt the easiest way, with our rented car. Parking facility is available near the cathedral, arriving early is the key to get hassle free parking slot.

Mainz Dom is located in the city center near the Gutenberg Museum. It is a prominent landmark, and we could easily spot its spires from a distance.

There are other means to reach Mainz Cathedral depending on your starting point:

By Air: From the international airport, Frankfurt Airport (FRA), instead of rental cars or taxis you can take a train or a combination of train and bus to Mainz.
By Train: Mainz has excellent rail connections. If you are coming from within Germany or neighboring European countries, you can take a train to Mainz Hauptbahnhof (Mainz Central Station). The cathedral is located within walking distance from the station.
By Public Transportation: Mainz has a well-developed public transportation system, including buses and trams. You can use local buses or trams to reach the cathedral area.

Mainz Cathedral Tourism Information

Address: Markt 10, 55116 Mainz, Germany
Google Coordinates: 49.9992689106939, 8.273988515342703
Tickets: It is a free sight
Timings:  Monday to Friday – 9 AM to 6.30 PM, Saturday – 9 AM to 4 PM, Sunday – 12.45 PM to 3 PM and 4 PM to 6.30 PM.
Tour time: one to two hours
Wheel chair access: Most parts of the cathedral are accessible to wheelchair users

One day Itinerary of Mainz

Start your day in Mainz with a visit to the impressive Mainz Cathedral, known for its rich history and stunning architecture. Explore the interior and admire the beautiful stained glass windows.

Afterward, head to the Gutenberg Museum, dedicated to the inventor of the printing press, Johannes Gutenberg. Discover the fascinating world of printing and see Gutenberg’s original 42-line Bible.

Take a leisurely stroll of Mainz: Self-Guided Walk from Old to New Town

Admire the half-timbered houses, picturesque squares, and historic landmarks like the Kirschgarten and St. Stephen’s Church.

For lunch, indulge in local cuisine at one of the traditional restaurants in the city center. Try regional specialties like Mainz-style sausages or the famous Mainzer Handkäse (a type of cheese).

In the afternoon, visit the State Museum Mainz, which houses a diverse collection of art and artifacts from different eras. Learn about the region’s history, archaeology, and art in this comprehensive museum.

Continue your exploration with a visit to the Romanesque Church of St. Peter. Admire its beautiful architecture and enjoy the panoramic views of Mainz from the church tower.

End your day with a relaxing walk along the Rhine River promenade. Enjoy the scenic views of the river and the city skyline as you unwind and soak in the atmosphere.

My blogs on other Cathedrals of Germany

• Cologne Cathedral
• Aachen Cathedral
• Speyer Cathedral

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Indrani Ghose is an Indian Travel Writer and Blogger based in Bangalore, India. She has written for numerous publications across the globe – including Lonely Planet, The National UAE, Whetstone Asia, Deccan Herald. You can follow her on her social media handles Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook to see the wonderful destinations, beautiful offbeat places and get instant updates about them.