Above the roofs of the half-timbered houses in the Old Town of Mainz rise the six towers of St. Martin's Cathedral (German: Mainzer Dom). Along with the cathedrals of Worms and Speyer, Mainz Cathedral represents the high point of Romanesque cathedral architecture in Germany.

History of Mainz Cathedral

The Cathedral of Mainz dates from 975 AD but was continually rebuilt and restored, reaching its present form mainly in the 13th and 14th centuries.

It was at Mainz Cathedral on March 27, 1188, that Holy Roman Emperor Frederick I (Frederick Barbarossa), took up the Cross in the Third Crusade called by Pope Gregory VIII.

During World War II, Allied bombing of Mainz destoryed 80% of the city, but the cathedral was left almost entirely unharmed.

What to See at Mainz Cathedral

Below the largest dome, a combination of Romanesque and Baroque styles, is the transept, separating the west chancel from the nave and smaller east chancel.

Many of the supporting pillars along the aisles of the nave are decorated with carved and painted statues of French and German saints.

The cathedral's Diocesan Museum houses a collection of religious art. In it are exhibitions of reliquaries and medieval sculpture, including works by the Master of Naumburg.

In the 1,000-year-old cathedral crypt is a contemporary gold reliquary of the saints of Mainz. Among the most impressive furnishings in the sanctuary are rococo choir stalls and an early-14th-century pewter baptismal font.

Quick Facts on Mainz Cathedral

Site Information
Names:	Mainz Cathedral
Categories:	cathedrals
Styles:	Romanesque
Status:	active
Visitor and Contact Information
Coordinates:	49.998898° N, 8.273692° E
Address:	Domstrasse 3 Mainz, Germany
Phone:	06131/253344
Hours:	Cathedral: Apr-Sep: Mon-Fri 9am-6:30pm, Sat 9am-4pm, Sun 2-5pm Oct-Mar: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-3:30pm, Sun 1-3pm Museum: Tue-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm
Lodging:	View hotels near Mainz Cathedral

Note: This information was accurate when first published and we do our best to keep it updated, but details such as opening hours and prices can change without notice. To avoid disappointment, please check with the site directly before making a special trip.

References

1. Wikipedia under GFDL
2. Frommer's Germany 2005.

More Information

• Photos of Mainz Cathedral - here on Sacred Destinations