Mainz Cathedral

The exact time of origin of the Mainz episcopal church is not definitively clarified due to incomplete old lists of bishops. However, historical sources, such as those of the historian Ammianus Marcellinus, point to a significant Christian community in the 4th century, which already used a cathedral for its celebrations. The first reliably attested bishop, Sidonius († 580), had a church under the patronage of Saint Martin of Tours, but its location and size are unknown. Around 975, possibly not until around 998, Archbishop Willigis initiated the construction of a new cathedral. This construction served less pastoral purposes, but rather aimed to emphasize the high status of the archbishop as Archchancellor of the Empire and king-maker in the Ottonian Empire, as well as the significance of the Mainz church as a “second Rome”. The design of the cathedral was modeled after the old St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. Willigis had the cathedral built on a fallow area in front of the then city center, with Roman wall remains detectable beneath the structure. The Willigis Cathedral, which included a forechurch in the east, an east structure with stair towers, and a three-aisled nave, was destroyed by fire on the day of its consecration in 1009.

Mainz Cathedral is located in the city of Mainz in the urban district of Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany. It stands at an elevation of approximately 101 m above sea level.

The church can be visited today and is a testament to its long and eventful history, which is reflected in its various architectural styles.

• Palais Zum Römischen Kaiser (residence), approx. 0.1 km away
• Johanniskirche (sacred building), approx. 0.1 km away
• Palais Arnsburger Hof (residence), approx. 0.2 km away
• Palais Johanniter-Kommende (residence), approx. 0.2 km away