St. Stephan, Mainz, known locally as St. Stephan zu Mainz is a collegiate church and has the oldest Gothic hall in the district of Upper Rhine. The church's history dates back to 990 CE when it was originally built. Over the centuries, the church has seen a lot of changes and rebuilding. It is famed for its unique blue Chagall choir windows created by renowned Russian Jewish artist Marc Chagall between 1978 - 1985. The nine stained glasses depict scenes from the Old Testament highlighting the common Christian and Jewish traditions and are done in luminescent blue. The church is also one of Mainz's important churches.
The Botanischer Garten der Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz lies in Mainz, Germany. This botanical garden was created between 1946-1955 and lies in the campus of the Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz. It was formerly a farmland and a training ground for the military. It now houses an alpine garden, a greenhouse complex and about 8500 species of plants and trees. Taking the guided tour by paying a nominal price is recommended if you wish to learn in-detail about the glasshouses and the different species of flora here.
The Mainz Cathedral is an architectural and historical marvel that is a must-visit while in the city. Known by different names like Martinsdom and more popularly St. Martin's Cathedral, it is situated close to the old town and serves as one of the major landmarks of Mainz. With a history going back to over a thousand years, this Roman Catholic monument exhibits an array of architectural styles. However, it remains a fine example of Romanesque architecture, even though it received several designs and structural alterations over the centuries. The cathedral interiors are home to ornate plaques and tombs of erstwhile reigning Electoral-prince-archbishops. Several arresting turn-of-the-century religious artworks adorn its high walls. The statues of The Madonna and Saint Boniface are focal points of its sprawling grounds.
Located in the beautiful town of Mainz, the Mainz Citadel is an old fortress built in the 17th century replacing a 11th century Benedictine monastery. The fortress has a rich history; after the Napoleonic battles, the fortress was under the control of the German confederation. It has been an important part of the World Wars as it functioned as a camp for war prisoners and was later in the hands of French forces. Now, it is under the administration and ownership of the Mainz city and houses many government offices. Notable in the fortress is the Drusus Monument, the Historical Museum of the Town Mainz and old barracks from the World War II. It hosts the Open-Ohr youth festival since 1975 which is attended by many locals and tourists alike. An initiative to preserve the cultural value of the citadel, Zitadelle Mainz Initiative (IZM) was started in 2004.
Tier- und Pflanzenpark Fasanerie was once a royal hunting area. Opened in 1955, its rolling hills, meadows, forest zone, lake and rivers is a haven for exotic and rare plants as well as for 50 European species. There is also a petting zoo for children. You can avail of their nature tours which are fun and informative at the same time. While touring, you get to encounter bears, lynxes, herons, wolves and many more. Later, head towards the former hunting lodge, which, now functions as a restaurant.
A former monastery which dates back to the 12th Century, Kloster Eberbach is now a thriving and flourishing winery. The former Cistercian monastery is considered to be one of the most significant architectural sites due to its exemplary Romanesque and early Gothic façade. Wine tasting sessions and tours of the premises are a window into the monastery's past and its viticulture tradition.
Surrounded by half-timbered houses, Köster-Wolf winery oozes rustic charm and class. The building itself is from the 19th century and wine tastings are held at the cross vault, with a roaring fireplace, stained glass windows and a historic ambiance to savor the brews in. The wines themselves from dry white wines, to quality red wines, and a few local specialties.
Gebrüder Kauer is a small but charming winery started out by two brothers, with varieties such as Reisling, the local favorite, red wines, sparkling wines, burgundy and a whole lot more. Twice a week, visitors can enjoy an enlightening wine tasting session, and learn all about the history of the winery and how they make the delicious brews.
Geheimrat J. Wegeler - Gutshaus Rheingau is set in a beautiful, ivory-hued building known as Rheingau Manor, an unmissable landmark on Friedensplatz. The friendly staff are more than happy to take you on a journey across their vintages, their process and their passion for wine-making. The winery enjoys a loyal customer base thanks to its hospitality.
Ev. Erlöserkirchengemeinde is a tranquil religious center for the locals of Bad Homburg. At this beautiful community center, worshipers can meditate, pray and rediscover their inner self. Apart from regular church services, the church also hosts community activities such as marriage and educational counseling, group prayer sessions and more. Founded on 17 May 1908, the church boasts distinct architecture adorning unusual facade, golden mosaics and extended width. The interiors feature captivating Byzantine art and Romanesque elements.
Every city is different and to experience the uniqueness of Frankfurt, you ought to do the Frankfurt on Foot Walking Tours. This tour will guide you through some of the best and major locations in the city explaining their importance and their origins. There are various tours on offer as per different themes. Their informative guides will help you understand every aspect of this city and get you acquainted with all the information that you need to soon feel more like a local and less like a tourist. The tour walks you through landmarks like Roemer, Alte Nikolai Church, Medieval Jewish Cemetery, The Goethe House, and Jewish Holocaust Memorial Wall. The guides all speak English as a first language, making this the perfect tour for English-speaking tourists.