Mainz cathedral is as much a part of the city as the Rhenish carnival. Rising majestically from the city centre, it is one of the most important ecclesiastical buildings in Germany. Built in 975 under the aegis of Bishop Willigis, this cathedral and episcopal church is at the spiritual centre of the diocese of Mainz. A thousand years ago, when the church was already under the patronage of St. Martin of Tours, faithful followers from the city would flock here. Attractions include the altar of St. Mary in the Ketteler Chapel with the schöne Mainzerin (beautiful lady of Mainz). Today, the adjoining collegiate buildings house the Cathedral and Diocesan Museum.

Founded in 1900 on the 500th anniversary of the birth of Gutenberg, the museum is dedicated to his life and work. In this treasure trove of the printed word, visitors can explore various sections on printing technology, book design, commercial print jobs and bookplates, graphics, posters, paper and types down the ages. For an overview of the history of type and printing it is second to none. Highlights include the famous Gutenberg Bible, one of the most beautiful books of all time.

Mainz Carnival is referred to as the 'fifth season' of the year. Every year in February/March it means three crazy days and four nights of partying. Everyday life grinds to a halt in the city as people celebrate, dance, laugh and flirt – things are pretty lively from Carnival Monday through to Ash Wednesday. The 7km Rose Monday carnival procession on the Monday before Lent takes four to five hours to snake its way through the centre of Mainz, attracting more than half a million spectators every time. Mainz Carnival is an integral part of the city's history, a cultural phenomenon and a social event that has had a firm place on the festival calendar for centuries.

It was converted to designs by Berlin architect Günter Zamp Kelp and includes a prominent tower, 21 metres in height, that slants at a seven-degree angle and is covered in green glass panels. Mainz art gallery regularly hosts touring exhibitions on contemporary art. It has set itself the mandate not of building its own collection, but of presenting and helping people to appreciate modern art, in keeping with the times and in sometimes controversial fashion.

The historical prosperity and international standing of the cosmopolitan city of Mainz are reflected in the numerous collections. Important artistic and cultural treasures include archaeological discoveries from pre- and early history, exhibits from the Roman empire and art and culture from the Middle Ages, Renaissance and baroque, right up to the 20th and 21st centuries.

Opening times:

Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday-Sunday 10am-5pm

The Cathedral and Diocesan Museum is housed in the rooms around Mainz Cathedral's late-Gothic cloister. World-famous early-Gothic figurines, such as those of 'the Blessed' and 'the Damned' taken from the former western rood screen, can be seen in the vaulted halls, which date from the time of the Swabian dynasty in the Middle Ages. Exquisite Ottonian manuscript illuminations, as well as vividly coloured late-Gothic tapestries, are among the Cathedral Museum's best-known treasures.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturday & Sunday 11am-6pm

Alongside exhibits from the animal and plant worlds of today, you'll find a wide range of natural history discoveries made in Rhineland-Palatinate. Don't miss the ice age animals collection or the Propalaeotherium dating back 44 million years that was recovered from the Eckfeld crater lake. The Natural History Museum has three examples of this extinct predecessor of the zebra out of only 23 preserved remains worldwide – more than any other museum.

Opening times:

Tuesday 10am-8pm, Wednesday 10am-2pm, Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm

The provenance of the exhibits ranges from the Near East to Spain and from North Africa to Scandinavia. A highlight from Roman times is the Mainz Globe, originally used to crown the gnomon, or hand, of a sundial. In 1981 a total of five ships dating from the third and fourth centuries were salvaged from the ancient harbour basin of Mainz and are now on display in the Museum of Ancient Shipbuilding.

Opening times:

Tuesday-Sunday 10am-6pm

Alongside more than 300 oil lamps, particular excitement was created by the discovery of sacrificial offerings such as dates, figs, pine nuts and grain, which were burned on altars. Animal sacrifices were also carried out, as evidenced by the many chicken bones.

Opening times:

Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm