In its everyday life, Mainz as the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate proves that tradition and progress can successfully mingle. Looking back on a history spanning 2,000 years, romans, electors and personalities such as Barbarossa and Gutenberg have left their mark on the modern city of Mainz set on the Rhine river, which has developed into a picturesque home for culture, science, and businesses. Today's Mainz stands for cosmopolitanism and conviviality.
Mainz always has an "open ear" for culture, and not only because the well-known Whitsun festival with theater, music, and cabaret bears this name. State theaters, small stages and other cultural centers provide a lively and varied array of offerings for all tastes. New and experimental forms of theater are presented at the "studio theater" (Kammerspiele), while the historic Moller building in the center of the city presents opera, theater, and ballet.
The state capital is furthermore a vital location for business, including many media companies such as the German Television ZDF (Zweites Deutsches Fernsehen), which promotes the image of its hometown across Europe on a daily basis. Extensive wine-growing areas on the edge of the city invite for a relaxing walk in the vineyards. Other delightful surrounding areas offer a wealth of opportunities for day trips: the charming Rheingau region with its famous monasteries such as Eberbach situated in the hills, a romantic boat trip on the Rhine or a short tour through the splendid landscapes of the Hunsrück, Odenwald and Taunus ranges of hills.