Mainz

 

Mainz is a beautiful city.

 

The settlement dates from Roman times (Moguntiacum), with this nameless general standing not far from the original gate into the city, at the Kästrich. Other remains include the mausoleum of Drusus, a theatre, a temple to Isis, ruins of an aqueduct and some ships housed in their own museum.

 

Mainz is also the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, inventor of the printing press. There's a museum, several statues and sculptures - indeed, even the city theatre is known as the Gutenberg monument. Incidentally, the plaza onto which the theatre faces contains a strip marking exactly 50° north.

 

Throughout the middle ages, Mainz was powerful through its Archbishops. They were the archchancellors of the Holy Roman Empire, and helped to elect the German Emperor. Besides Rome, Mainz is today the only diocese in the world with an episcopal see that is called a Holy See. The Archbishops of Mainz traditionally were primas germaniae, the substitutes of the Pope north of the Alps.