Hof zum Gutenberg (Gutenberg's Birthplace), Mainz

Hof zum Gutenberg (Gutenberg's Birthplace), Mainz

Johannes Gutenberg was born here between 1394 and 1404, although no records indicate the exact day, month, or year. In the 1890s, the city of Mainz declared his symbolic date of birth to be June 24, 1400. Gutenberg didn't spend his entire life in Mainz but spent some time in Strasbourg.

By 1448, he returned to Mainz and set up his first printing press in his father's house. He extended his printing press in 1450 at Humbrecht Court and printed the Gutenberg Bible in 1455.

After a financial disagreement with a business partner, Gutenberg returned to his father's home.

The Hof zum Gutenberg became part of Mainz University in 1477. The building is known as "Urdruckerei," or the original printing house. The building was rebuilt in the Baroque style but destroyed during World War II. Today, the site houses a pharmacy.

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Hof zum Gutenberg (Gutenberg's Birthplace) on Map

Sight Name: Hof zum Gutenberg (Gutenberg's Birthplace)
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.
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
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