Mainz – more than just a carnival city!

With its population of a little under 200,000, you could be forgiven for thinking of Mainz as a provincial town. In fact, its geographical position at the heart of the busy Rhine/Main area makes it a great spot for business and culture. With its proximity to the financial and business centre of Frankfurt, the regional capital Wiesbaden and the cities of Ludwigshafen, Karlsruhe and Darmstadt, Mainz is well placed to meet all the demands of life in the 21st century.
Eighty percent of the city was destroyed in the Second World War. The few remaining historic buildings include the Romano-Gothic cathedral and the Elector's palace. However, much has been restored, especially a number of important baroque buildings around Schillerplatz.
The remains of the Roman fortifications stand as a reminder of the city's 2,000 year history.
Mainz is home to ZDF, Germany's largest television broadcaster. Among the institutions attached to the university is a music college, an academy for plastic and graphic arts and a sports college. A number of important institutes belonging to the Max-Planck research society are based here. The city also boasts several polytechnics and a music conservatory.
Mainz's most famous son is Johann Gutenberg, the inventor of printing.
Mainz belongs to the GWC, an association of the most important wine-producing towns. A major wine market is held here in August/September.
Theatre-goers can see performances at the Staatstheater and a number of other venues. The city's cultural life is enriched by several orchestras and choirs as well as (historic) museums.
The Mainzer Stadtschreiber literary award underlines the city's commitment to literature. And of course, let us not forget Fastnacht in Mainz, which is one of the highlights of carnival season in the Rhineland.