Livable cities

Mainz was the home of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of modern letterpress printing – considered one of the most important inventions of the past millennium. Today, the Gutenberg monument in Mainz commemorates the achievement of the city’s famous son. Beyond that, people of Mainz love their “Meenzer Fassenacht” (local term for carnival in Mainz). Usually in February, the capital of Rhineland-Palatinate is transformed into the capital of carnival of Rhineland-Palatinate. Whether inside a ballroom or out on the streets – during carnival, people from different places flock to Mainz to be part of this cultural highlight.

There are numerous cities in Rhineland-Palatinate promising especially vibrant perspectives. Along the river Rhine, located south of the state, lie the cities of Worms, Ludwigshafen and Speyer. Also known as the city of the Nibelungs, Worms offers various events, festivals and exhibitions revolving around the Song of the Nibelungs. The well-known German legend was written in the 13th century and tells the story of dragon slayer Siegfried who falls in love with the beautiful Kriemhild of Worms. Ludwigshafen, on the other hand, is a comparatively young city, captivating with its proximity to the Rhine and numerous green spaces. Major companies of the chemical industry are located here. The townscape of Speyer is influenced by the world’s largest Romanesque church – the Speyer Cathedral has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981.

At the edge of the Palatinate Forest lies the city of Kaiserslautern. Here the unique nature of Palatinate meets the high-tech region of the state. Kaiserslautern is not only home to the only technical and scientific university of Rhineland-Palatinate but also to various German technology companies. For its great location right in the heart of the Palatinate, the city is an ideal place to live for hiking enthusiasts and nature lovers. The “Pfalztheater” (theater of the Palatinate) is also located in Kaiserslautern. It offers diverse performances in the fields of drama, opera and musicals.

In the west of the federal state and in the immediate neighbourhood of Luxembourg lies the city of Trier. It was founded by the Romans in ancient times. Today it is considered the oldest city in Germany and is home to several monuments that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Trier lies in the centre of the wine growing regions named Moselle, Saar and Ruwer. The conveniently close to the borders invite to taking a short trip to Belgium or Luxembourg. If you follow the Moselle flowing into the Rhine, you will arrive at the “Deutsche Eck” (German Corner) in Koblenz, which is the site of the Kaiser Wilhelm Monument. Due to the automotive industry being in Koblenz, it is also an economically attractive place. The internationally renowned Nürburgring, nowadays used as a race or test track, is in the immediate vicinity.