A heady experience for book lovers, the Gutenberg Museum commemorates native son Johannes Gutenberg, who in the 15th century ushered in the information age here by perfecting moveable type. Highlights include very early printed masterpieces – kept in a walk-in vault – such as three extremely rare (and valuable) examples...

　　Part of the local Catholic seminary, the classically baroque Augustinerkirche, built from 1768 to 1772, was unscathed by WWII so all its rich decor is original, including its elaborate organ loft and a delicate ceiling fresco by Johann Baptist Enderle. ...

　　In a darkened, dungeon-like space, a glass walkway leads you around this extraordinary Roman archaeological site, which was discovered in 1999 during the construction of the Römerpassage shopping mall. Brilliantly illuminated artefacts discovered during excavations include ceremonial bowls, Roman tablets, statues, coins and dried fruits like figs from other climates....

　　The extraordinary remains of five wooden ships of the Romans’ Rhine flotilla, used around AD 300 to thwart the Germanic tribes then threatening Roman settlements, are the centrepiece of this museum. Also on display are two full-size replicas of Roman ships and a collection of scale-model ships kids will love....

　　Across from the Gutenburg Museum, you can try out Gutenberg’s technology yourself, with instruction on the art of hand-setting type – backwards, of course. Nearby, master craftsmen produce elegant posters, certificates and cards using the labour-intensive technologies of another age. ...

　　Topped by an octagonal tower, Mainz’ immense cathedral, built from deep red sandstone in the 12th century, is quintessentially Romanesque. Its predecessor went through a literal baptism by fire when it burned down in 1009 on the day of its consecration. Over the centuries seven coronations were held here. Sunday...

　　This would be just another Gothic church rebuilt after WWII were it not for the nine brilliant-blue, stained-glass windows created by the Russian-Jewish artist Marc Chagall (1887–1985) in the final years of his life, which serve as a symbol of Jewish–Christian reconciliation. ...

　　Highlights of this well laid-out state museum include an ensemble of exquisite Jugendstil pieces, outstanding collections of Renaissance and 20th-century German paintings, and baroque porcelain and furniture. Rare artefacts from the Merovingian and Carolingian periods include 4th- to 7th-century tombstones in Latin. Mainz’ illustrious medieval Jewish community is represented by...