Cities
Germany Mainz Rhineland-Palatinate Fortress

Citadel Mainz

About

The Citadel of Mainz is a commanding fortress on Jakobsberg hill, offering panoramic views and centuries of history. Built in 1660 as part of the city's strategic defenses, the citadel replaced the earlier Schweickhardtsburg fortress and became a key component of Fortress Mainz, one of the strongest fortifications in the Holy Roman Empire. Its layout features four bastions—Alarm, Tacitus, Drusus, and Germanikus—designed for optimal defense and surveillance. The site’s history stretches back to Roman times, with the Drususstein, a Roman funerary monument, still standing within its grounds. Over the centuries, the citadel witnessed occupations by Swedish and French forces, and served as a refuge during World War II. Today, it houses municipal offices and hosts cultural events like the Open Ohr Festival, blending civic life with historical preservation. Visitors can explore remnants of medieval walls, baroque architecture, and underground passages, making the citadel a rich destination for heritage tourism.

Mainz Germany
Citadel Mainz
Location

The Citadel of Mainz, located on Jakobsberg hill at the fringe of the Old Town and close to Mainz Römisches Theater S-Bahn station, stands as one of Germany’s best-preserved 17th-century fortresses, commanding panoramic views over Mainz and the Rhine River. Within the Citadel, visitors can discover the ancient Drusus Stone, a Roman monument, and the Museum of Mainz History which showcases the city’s rich past. The Citadel grounds host vibrant cultural events like festivals and concerts throughout the year, including the annual Open Ohr Festival. Its strategic location places it a short stroll away from the Roman Theatre, the lively Old Town, and Mainz's central attractions such as the Cathedral, market squares, and Rhine promenade, making it an ideal point of interest near the heart of the city.​

Gutenberg‑Museum Gutenberg‑Museum Museum Landesmuseum Mainz Landesmuseum Mainz Museum Naturhistorisches Museum Mainz Naturhistorisches Museum Mainz Museum Bischöfliches Dom‑ und Diözesanmuseum Bischöfliches Dom‑ und Diözesanmuseum Museum Mainzer Fastnachtsmuseum Mainzer Fastnachtsmuseum Museum Kupferberg‑Museum Kupferberg‑Museum Museum Leibniz‑Zentrum für Archäologie Leibniz‑Zentrum für Archäologie Museum Stadthistorisches Museum Mainz Stadthistorisches Museum Mainz Museum Garnisonsmuseum Mainz Garnisonsmuseum Mainz Museum Ziegelmuseum Mainz‑Bretzenheim Ziegelmuseum Mainz‑Bretzenheim Museum Museum für Antike Schifffahrt Museum für Antike Schifffahrt Museum Sanctuary of Isis and Magna Mater Sanctuary of Isis and Magna Mater Museum Museum Castellum Mainz/Kastel Museum Castellum Mainz/Kastel Museum Deutsches Kabarett­Archiv und Museum Deutsches Kabarett­Archiv und Museum Museum Staatstheater Mainz Staatstheater Mainz Theatre Mainzer Kammerspiele Mainzer Kammerspiele Theatre Galli Theater Mainz Galli Theater Mainz Theatre Frankfurter Hof Frankfurter Hof Theatre Unterhaus Unterhaus Theatre Showbühne Mainz Showbühne Mainz Theatre Römisches Theater Mainz Römisches Theater Mainz Historical Landmark KUZ Kulturzentrum Mainz KUZ Kulturzentrum Mainz Theatre Kinder‑ und Jugendzentrum Reduit Kinder‑ und Jugendzentrum Reduit Theatre Galerie Art Mayence Galerie Art Mayence Gallery Galerie Haus zum Stein Galerie Haus zum Stein Historical Landmark Galerie Dr. Dorothea van der Koelen Galerie Dr. Dorothea van der Koelen Gallery Kunsthalle Mainz Kunsthalle Mainz Gallery Kurfürstliches Schloss Kurfürstliches Schloss Historical Landmark Haus zum Stein Haus zum Stein Castle Proviant‑Magazin der Festung Mainz Proviant‑Magazin der Festung Mainz Historical Landmark Eltzer Hof Eltzer Hof Historical Landmark St. Stephans Kirche St. Stephans Kirche Church St. Peterskirche St. Peterskirche Church Castle Gate Castle Gate Historical Landmark Mainz Cathedral Mainz Cathedral Cathedral Markt Mainz Markt Mainz Square Fastnachtsbrunnen Fastnachtsbrunnen Historical Landmark Kirschgarten Kirschgarten Square Gutenberg Monument Gutenberg Monument Cultural landmark Heunensäule Heunensäule Tourist attractions Drususstein Drususstein Historical Landmark Arch of Dativius Victor Arch of Dativius Victor Historical Landmark Römerpassage Römerpassage Shopping Centre Uferpromenade am Rhein Uferpromenade am Rhein Tourist attractions Great Mainz Jupiter Column Great Mainz Jupiter Column Historical Landmark Botanischer Garten der Johannes Gutenberg‑Universität Mainz Botanischer Garten der Johannes Gutenberg‑Universität Mainz Botanical Garden Stadtpark Mainz Stadtpark Mainz Park Volkspark Mainz Volkspark Mainz Park Wallgrünanlagen Wallgrünanlagen Park Wildpark Gonsenheim Wildpark Gonsenheim Park Hartenbergpark Hartenbergpark Park Eisenturm Eisenturm Historic Landmark Holzturm Holzturm Tourist attractions Alexanderturm Alexanderturm Historical Landmark Paul‑Baumann‑Sternwarte Paul‑Baumann‑Sternwarte Observatory