The Gutenberg Museum Mainz
Experience the history of printing, writing, and books in the Gutenberg-Museum. The Gutenberg-Museum, which lies opposite the cathedral in the heart of the old part of Mainz, is one of the oldest museums of the book and printing in the world. The Museum was founded by a group of Mainz citizens in 1900 and dedicated to Johannes Gutenberg, today’s “Man of the millennium”, and his inventions.
Two original Gutenberg Bibles of the mid-15th century are among the most valuable treasures of the Museum. Another main attraction is a reconstruction of Gutenberg’s workshop. Here the museum visitors are shown on the hour (at 10 and 11 a.m. and at 12, 2, 3, and 4 p.m.) how printing was done during the time of Johannes Gutenberg. A short movie introduces to Gutenberg’s life and work. Then you can be led through the museum by a self-guided audio tour explaining the museum’s highlights in German, English, and French. Five “extra audio tours” give information on some special sections of the Museum.
At the Gutenberg-Museum, you can see printing presses which span a period of several centuries. You get detailed information on European and non-European printing technology and book art in the course of centuries. You are made acquainted with the history of paper and writing, the history of newspapers and magazines, and much more.
