Citadel

The citadel is enthroned on the Jakobsberg, above the rooftops of the old town. It has dominated the cityscape of Mainz since the 17th century.

Fortress on the Jakobsberg

The hill has borne the name Jakobsberg since the Benedictine monastery dedicated to St. James was founded in 1055 by Archbishop Bardo of Mainz. The actual construction of today's citadel began in 1655 under Elector Johann Philipp von Schönborn.

Measuring approximately 340 by 320 meters, the citadel is one of the most important large fortifications in Rhineland-Palatinate. It is also a tourist attraction. The beautiful view is not the only thing worth the climb. There is also plenty to discover underground in the corridors and former air-raid shelters.

Citadel at a glance

Facts, figures and data

Historical

The Romans already appreciated the outstanding location of the hill on the southern outskirts of the city and erected a memorial to their commander Drusus after his death during the Germanic campaign, the core of which is still preserved today as the Drusus Stone.

From 1055 onwards, the hill was settled by a Benedictine monastery dedicated to St. James. Since then, it has been known as Jakobsberg. As the monastery was only lightly walled outside the city walls, this created a strategic gap in the city's protective ring.

The expansion of Jakobsberg into a fortified stronghold began in 1620 under Elector Johann Schweickhardt von Kronberg, who, under the direction of cathedral canon Adolph von Waldenburg, had a fortification consisting mainly of moats and ramparts built. However, Mainz was occupied by the Swedes in 1631 during the Thirty Years' War.

The actual expansion of today's citadel with its regular layout and the four bastions Alarm, Tacitus, Drusus, and Germanicus began in 1655 under Elector Johann Philipp von Schönborn. However, the fortifications towering over Mainz were not able to serve their purpose for long, as the city lacked the funds for a powerful garrison. French troops captured the city during the War of the Palatinate Succession.

In the 18th century, the monastery grounds were expanded. A new abbot's residence and guest quarters were built, along with a Baroque garden. However, the monastery's long history came to an abrupt end in 1793 when the German Imperial Army recaptured Mainz from the French occupation and the monastery church and farm buildings were completely destroyed. The abbot's residence and guest quarters remained intact until their demolition in 1912. The Baroque door and window frames were preserved for their reconstruction two years later.

Federal fortress

From 1816 onwards, Mainz assumed the role of a federal fortress. Troops were stationed at the citadel, most of whom were housed in the former abbot's residence and guest quarters. The commander's building was extended, and 30 years later the "Citadellkaserne" (citadel barracks), now Building C, was constructed.

Reconstruction 1950

After the First and Second World Wars, French military personnel occupied the site. In 1950, reconstruction of the war-damaged buildings began, and the municipal commercial college and later the building authorities moved into the buildings.

In recent years, necessary renovation work has been carried out on and in the historic buildings in the listed site.

Architecture

Today

You can see the entrance to the commandant's building of the citadel around 1931.

You can see a plan of the citadel with the Jakobsberg monastery before 1814

You can see an engraving of the Jakobsberg monastery.

View from the citadel over the main portal to the cathedral and the old town

Entrance to the underground mine passages and casemates of the citadel

You can see an oblique aerial view of the citadel in spring.

Citadel with celebrity vineyard and walkers

The Mainz citadel on the Jakobsberg, surrounded by trees

Stone figure of St. Jacob at the south portal of the citadel

Image gallery, 16 images

Further information

References

Fischer, Hartmut: On the protection of Mainz. The development and transformation of the citadel. In: Mainz Quarterly Journal for Culture, Politics, Economy, and History, 24th year, 2/2004, pp. 13-18.

Fischer, Hartmut: Ecology versus Monument Preservation? Manifestations of a Conflict Using the Example of the Mainz Citadel. In: Preservation and Use of Historic Citadels, Mainz 2002, pp. 214–232.

Krawietz, Peter: Long-term preservation – Sensible use of historic citadels. The example of Mainz. Mainz 2002, pp. 81–90.

Rupprecht, Gerd: A Fortress is Unveiled – The Drusus Bastion of the Citadel in Mainz, Mainz, 2002, pp. 144–150.

Schüler, Norbert: Quo vadis, citadel? Use and future plans for the fortress. In: Mainz Quarterly Journal for Culture, Politics, Economy, and History, 24th year, 2/2004, pp. 19–23.