In the Footsteps of Gutenberg (Self Guided), Mainz

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 in his hometown you can start at Gutenberg Museum which outlines the history of Gutenberg's ground-breaking piece of engineering as well as displays some priceless copies of famous publications, like the original 42-line Gutenberg Bible, printed around 1450, and more. Right next to the museum is the Type Monument – a complex of nine sandstone cubes illustrating the art of scripture and printing.

Further on, the itinerary brings you to Gutenbergplatz. This square, Mainz's largest, houses a monument of Gutenberg, unveiled in 1837. The bronze sculpture marks the probable 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press.

The tour continues to take you along Marktplatz/Korbgässchen to the end of the Am Brand passage where you find the stair tower of Humbrechthof, also known as Hof zum Humbrecht. This building, constructed in 1584, is where the first Gutenberg Bibles were printed.

The final stop on your historical journey through Gutenberg's Mainz will be Hof zum Gutenberg, Gutenberg's Birthplace, situated close-by to his last resting place. Gutenberg was not only born here, but also later set up his first printing workshop; hence, the location is still referred to as "Urdruckerei" (original printing house).

Whether you're just passing through Mainz or staying for a little while and want to explore it on your own, on foot, this self-guided walk will help you get to know the city from the point of view of its great inventor citizen!