The main cemetery of Mainz was founded over 200 years ago, yet its roots can be found in pre-roman times.
About the cemetery
When the roman troops built up the "Moguntiacum", the place became a burial site for roman soldiers and citizens. In early medieval times, the bishops of Mainz were buried in this territory, making the valley known as the "Holy Valley". After Napoleon conquered Mainz, its prefect decided that a new burial place had to be set up. This decision was declared law by Napoleon for all French towns. The "Holy Valley" became a burial ground and was chosen to be the place for the new main cemetery of Mainz and in 1803, the first burial took place at the new cemetery.
The two square kilometres of the cemetery include a large variety of different trees and plant species. The marks of WWII are present on graves of soldiers and victims of the bombs which fell on Mainz during the war. Major factory owners, scientists, musicians, authors and politicians were buried here. Especially the vaults of Kupferberg and Henkell (one of the most important German producers of sparkling wine) and Schott (one of the largest publisher of sheet music world-wide) should be mentioned here. The cemetery reflects the changeful history of a town, druing which its ownership was changedat at least ten times since the cemetery was founded.
Contacts
The Main Cemetery of MainzUntere Zahlbacher Strasse
D-55131 Mainz
Germany
e-mail: info@nekropolis-moguntia.de
Tourist information
Touristik Centrale MainzBruckenturm am Rathaus
55116 Mainz
Tel.: +49 06131 286210
Fax: +49 06131 2862155
Email: tourist@info-mainz.de
Website: www.info-mainz.de