Mainz is the birthplace of Johannes Gutenberg, who was once exiled, but came back and the first printing press, and the first printed works were produced in Mainz. The development of the printing press is quite fascinating, and the Gutenberg Museum has a number of old books, including a few of the original Gutenberg Bibles. The museum also has a section on the development of printing in other parts of the world, including China, where the movable type pre-dated Gutenberg, but was somehow did not have as great an impact.
The other attraction of Mainz is its massive cathedral, an UNESCO world heritage site. I was there at the end of the Sunday Mass, and had a chance to hear the organ playing - the acoustics is amazing! The cathedral is not as decorative, and in many ways, it is rather plain.
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