Mainz Citadel

On the Jakobsberg hill, right above Mainz Römisches Theater station, the city's history is stacked up in one place: a Roman monument at the bottom layer, traces of a medieval monastery, Baroque bastions all around and 19th-century barracks in between. At about 340 by 320 metres, the Mainz Citadel is one of the most important large fortresses in Rhineland-Palatinate. Today it houses city offices, and its paths make a quiet walk with views across the city.

History: from monastery to federal fortress

From 1050 the Benedictine monastery of St James stood here. As the hill outside the walls was a weak spot, an earthwork was built in 1620–1629. From 1655 Elector Johann Philipp von Schönborn surrounded the whole city with bastions and turned the earthwork into a square citadel with stone fronts. The town-side gate still bears the date 1660; in 1696 the Commandant's Building was built over it, incorporating the gate by Antonio Petrini.

The monastery was largely destroyed in the siege of 1793. From 1816 Mainz was a fortress of the German Confederation. In both world wars the citadel held prisoners of war, and in the Second World War residents sheltered from bombs in the tunnels under the Drusus bastion. It has been a protected monument since 1907.

What to see

• Drusus Stone: An almost 20-metre block of Roman concrete, generally accepted as the remains of the cenotaph raised by Roman troops for the general Drusus, who died in 9 BC. Apart from the Igel Column, it is the only Roman tomb monument north of the Alps still standing above ground on its original site.
• Commandant's Building: The Baroque building over the gate is the citadel's classic photo.
• Bastions and moat: The southern moat is protected as a habitat of national importance.
• Underground tunnels: Only accessible on guided tours.
• City History Museum: A private museum in Building D next to the Drusus Stone.

Good to know

The citadel carries the blue Hague shield marking cultural property protected in wartime. The OpenOhr youth culture festival has been held here every Whitsun since 1975.

Visiting and tours (as of October 2026)

The paths across the grounds are public; city offices work here. The Initiative Zitadelle society runs a public 1.5-hour tour above and below ground (adults €10, children under 14 €5) and a two-hour tour starting at the Roman theatre. On 6 December 2026, 11:00–18:00, the small volunteer-run Christmas market "Kunst & Korinthen" takes place here.

Getting there

Mainz Römisches Theater station is right below the citadel, a few minutes by S-Bahn from the main station. From the cathedral it is about ten minutes on foot.

Tripto tip

Allow one hour, two with a tour. Look at the remains of the Roman theatre by the station first, then walk up to the Drusus Stone for a short journey through Roman Mainz.