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Mainz - A View of the Old City

On Tuesday we will visit the beautiful city of Mainz. Mainz is the capital of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It was the capital of the Electorate of Mainz at the time of the Holy Roman Empire. In antiquity Mainz was a Roman fort city which commanded the west bank of the Rhine and formed part of the northernmost frontier of the Roman Empire; it was founded as a military post by the Romans in the late 1st century BCE and became the provincial capital of Germania Superior. The city is located on the river Rhine at its confluence with the Main opposite Wiesbaden, in the western part of the Frankfurt Rhine-Main; in the modern age, Frankfurt shares much of its regional importance.

Johannes Gutenberg

The city is famous as the home of the invention of the movable-type printing press, as the first books ever printed using movable type were manufactured in Mainz by Johannes Gutenberg in the early 1450s. Gutenberg’s first Bible is on display, also the world‘s tiniest Bible. Because of his invention, Gutenberg is considered to be the most important individual-contributor of the Second Millennium. 

St. Martin's Cathedral

Then we will tour St. Martin's Cathedral, built in the 8th century and towering in all its might and grandeur the city. Seven king's coronations took place in the course of the centuries in the Mainz cathedral. A short drive takes you to the quaint and charming village of Rudesheim, which dates back to before the Roman era. Explore the center on your own or do some shopping and then take the cable car up to the Niederwald Monument. Here, you have a spectacular view over the Rhine Valley. 

The Loreley Rock

After returning back to Rudesheim you relax on a sightseeing cruise along the Rhine River, one of the most picturesque stretches of this majestic waterway. You sail past magnificent castles and the famous Loreley rock. 

We will return to Frankfurt and be picked up by Lene and her crew for the trip to Paderborn!!!