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Mainz

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Mainz is a significant city located in Germany. It serves as the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate.

Mainz - Luftaufnahme
Mainz - Luftaufnahme

The city sits on the left bank of the Rhine river. It is positioned at the northern end of the Upper Rhine Plain. Mainz is also the largest city within the Rhenish Hesse region. Currently, the city has around 223,000 inhabitants. It is ranked as the 35th-largest city in Germany.

Mainz-Stadtplan1898
Mainz-Stadtplan1898

The city is part of the Rhine-Main Metropolitan Region. This region is the second-largest metropolitan area in Germany. It follows the Rhine-Ruhr region in size. The metropolitan area contains about 5.9 million people. It includes several other major cities like Frankfurt am Main and Wiesbaden. Mainz is connected to Frankfurt via the Rhine-Main S-Bahn rapid transit system. You can reach Frankfurt International Airport in only 30 minutes by train. The city also features a major river port on the Rhine. This container port hub sits north of the town centre.

Mainz BlickzumRhein 1890
Mainz BlickzumRhein 1890

Mainz has a very long history starting in the 1st century BC. A Roman general named Nero Claudius Drusus founded the city. He named the settlement Castrum Mogontiacum. It was built on the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. The city served as the capital of the province known as Germania Superior. It was a strategic military location near the confluence of the Main and Rhine rivers. Many different Roman legions were stationed there over time. The city also housed a Roman river fleet called the Classis Germanica.

Stadttor1
Stadttor1

Archaeologists have found remains of Roman troop ships in the area.

Römersteine 15
Römersteine 15

You can still see a Roman town gate and parts of an aqueduct. A special monument called the Drususstein commemorates the general Drusus.

The Cenotaph of Drusus (Drususstein), an empty tomb raised by Roman troops in 9 AD in honour of the deceased general Drusus, Mogontiacum (Mainz) (9739245693)
The Cenotaph of Drusus (Drususstein), an empty tomb raised by Roman troops in 9 AD in honour of the deceased general Drusus, Mogontiacum (Mainz) (9739245693)

After the Roman era, the Franks settled the area around the year 459. By the 8th century, Mainz became vital within the Holy Roman Empire. It served as the capital of the Electorate of Mainz. The city was the seat of the Archbishop-Elector of Mainz. This leader was the primate of Germany. Mainz was also a major center for Christianity in Europe. The first archbishop, Boniface, was a key figure in this process. The Roman Catholic Diocese of Mainz is unique in the world. It is the only diocese with an episcopal see called a Holy See.

Nave and main altar - Augustinerkirche - Mainz - Germany 2017
Nave and main altar - Augustinerkirche - Mainz - Germany 2017

Mainz was a very important center for Jewish life during the Middle Ages. The Jewish community dates back to the 10th century. The city was a cradle for Ashkenazi Jewish life. Famous scholars like Rabbi Gershom ben Judah taught there. The city held important religious synods starting in the late 12th century. However, the history was also marked by hardship. Jewish residents faced persecution and were expelled several times. This includes expulsions in 1438, 1462, and 1470. The Jewish heritage of Mainz is so unique that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Gebetsraum Synagoge Weisenau 01
Gebetsraum Synagoge Weisenau 01

Many famous people and inventions are linked to Mainz. Johannes Gutenberg was born in this city. He invented the printing press and introduced letterpress printing to Europe. This invention helped the printing press spread globally. The city also has a strong modern presence in media. The Lerchenberg borough is the seat of ZDF. This is the second-most important public service television broadcaster in Germany. The broadcaster 3sat also operates from this location.

Additionally, Mainz is known for its vibrant carnival celebrations. These are the second-most important carnivals in Germany, following Cologne.

Mainz-flags
Mainz-flags

The geography and climate of Mainz also shape its character. The city has a temperate oceanic climate. This means it is one of the warmest cities in Germany during the winter. This mild climate makes Mainz one of the most important wine regions in Germany. The landscape includes the Mainz Sand Dunes. This area is a nature reserve located at the western edge of the city. These dunes were deposited in the Rhine valley after the last ice age. They support rare steppe vegetation. The city's name likely comes from the Celtic name Mogontiacum. While it sounds like the river Main, the names are actually different.

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🖼️ Images & Media (19)
File:Sattelite Wiesbaden Mainz.jpg
Sattelite Wiesbaden Mainz.jpg
File:Stadttor1.jpg
Stadttor1.jpg
File:The Cenotaph of Drusus (Drususstein), an empty tomb raised by Roman troops in 9 AD in honour of the deceased general Drusus, Mogontiacum (Mainz) (9739245693).jpg
The Cenotaph of Drusus (Drususstein), an...
File:Römersteine 15.JPG
Römersteine 15.JPG
File:Münze Gold Solidus Theudebert I um 534.jpg
Münze Gold Solidus Theudebert I um 534.jpg
File:Gebetsraum Synagoge Weisenau 01.jpg
Gebetsraum Synagoge Weisenau 01.jpg
File:Jeanbon2.jpg
Jeanbon2.jpg
File:Mainz BlickzumRhein 1890.jpg
Mainz BlickzumRhein 1890.jpg
File:Mainz-Stadtplan1898.jpg
Mainz-Stadtplan1898.jpg
File:Landtagsgebaeude Rheinland Pfalz.jpg
Landtagsgebaeude Rheinland Pfalz.jpg
File:Christuskirche in Mainz.jpg
Christuskirche in Mainz.jpg
File:Mainz-Theodor-Heuss-Bruecke-2005-05-16a.jpg
Mainz-Theodor-Heuss-Bruecke-2005-05-16a.jpg

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