Museum
Gutenberg Museum
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The Gutenberg Museum is dedicated to the art of printing and the life of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of movable type printing in Europe. Located in Mainz, Gutenberg's birthplace, the museum holds two original Gutenberg Bibles from the 1450s – among the world's most valuable books. The exhibits trace printing from its origins in East Asia through Gutenberg's revolutionary press to modern digital techniques. You can see reconstructed printing presses, watch live demonstrations of hand-set type, and explore the evolution of bookbinding. The museum also features a library with over 100,000 volumes on printing history. The highlight is the dimly lit Bible room, where the two Bibles are displayed in climate-controlled cases. Interactive stations let you try your hand at typesetting.
Don't miss
- See two original Gutenberg Bibles, printed in the 1450s, in the specially designed Bible room.
- Watch live printing demonstrations using a replica of Gutenberg's press.
- Explore the history of writing and printing from ancient China to the digital age.
- Try typesetting at interactive stations.
- Visit the museum's library and special exhibitions on book art.
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Gutenberg Museum
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
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