Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), Mainz

The current station was built as a central station from 1882 to 1884 as part of the expansion of the city after the Franco-Prussian War. The Mainz architect Philipp Johann Berdellé (1838-1903) created the station's entrance building in bright Flonheim sandstone in Italian neo-Renaissance with baroque and neoclassical elements. A jutting central section is framed by two lower side wings with arcades, which end in risalits. The building was opened ceremoniously on October 15, 1884. Berdellé set the emphasis of the graphic decorations on the entrances of the central building. Allegorical representations refer to the function of the building. On both sides of the entrance reliefs display putti at play, to indicate the way for arrivals and departures.