Gutenbergplatz (Gutenberg Square), Mainz

Gutenbergplatz (Gutenberg Square), Mainz

Gutenberg Square was named after Johannes Gutenberg and is Mainz's largest square.

Following occupation by Napoleon's French forces, Mainz became the capital of Mont-Tonnerre in 1801. In 1804, Napoleon ordered the construction of a new boulevard and square. The square was planned in an area that was destroyed during the Austro-Prussian siege. However, only one building was built in the new square before the project failed.

Construction on the square re-started in 1819, and building continued through the 1870s. Many buildings were damaged during World War II and have since been restored.

The Gutenberg monument was unveiled in 1837. The bronze sculpture shows Gutenberg carrying a Bible and a printing plate. There are no reliable images of Gutenberg, so he is depicted as a well-dressed, bearded man. Mainz celebrated for three days when the statue was commemorated.

Gutenberg Square is home to the Mainz State Theatre. The Neoclassical building was completed in 1833 and hosts around 500 dance, opera, and drama events each year.

The 50th parallel north that marks the 50 degrees north of the Earth's equatorial plane runs near the square and is marked with a metal track and bronze lettering.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Mainz. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The GPSmyCity App

Gutenbergplatz (Gutenberg Square) on Map

Sight Name: Gutenbergplatz (Gutenberg Square)
Sight Location: Mainz, Germany (See walking tours in Mainz)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Mainz, Germany

Create Your Own Walk in Mainz

Create Your Own Walk in Mainz

Creating your own self-guided walk in Mainz is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Mainz Introduction Walking Tour

Mainz Introduction Walking Tour

Mainz is the Rhineland-Palatinate state capital and its largest city. It is located on the Rhine river, where the Main river joins the Rhine. Mainz has remained a prosperous city and is an important container port hub.

Mainz was founded as a Roman military fortress in the 1st century BC. The Roman stronghold was called Mogontiacum. Visitors can see several Roman shipwrecks and learn more about...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
In the Footsteps of Gutenberg

In the Footsteps of Gutenberg

The capital of Rhineland-Palatinate, Mainz has made a name throughout the world as Gutenberg's city, the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg and his great invention, the first movable metal-type printing press. It is precisely for this important heritage that Mainz has retained its importance as a hub for some of Germany's oldest publishing houses.

Following in the footsteps of Gutenberg...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.2 Km or 0.7 Miles