Central Station (Hauptbahnhof), Mainz

Mainz Central Station (Mainz Hauptbahnhof), the main railway station of Mainz, is an essential transport hub in Rhineland-Palatinate, serving approximately 60,000 travelers daily. This station, which became operational in 1884, was designed by Philipp Johann Berdellé in a blend of Italian neo-Renaissance with Baroque and Neoclassical influences. The structure is notable for its striking central section, adorned with intricate allegorical sculptures that depict the experiences of arrivals and departures, created by Mainz sculptors Valentin Barth and Anton Scholl.

The station's development reflects the broader history of Mainz's transition from a trading port to a key railway center. After losing its medieval trading rights in 1831 and facing competition from the Taunus Railway in 1840, Mainz regained significance when the Hessian Ludwig Railway Company initiated railway lines from the city in 1845. Key routes connected Mainz to Ludwigshafen, Aschaffenburg, Bingen, and Alzey, helping to solidify its position as a major railway hub. A permanent railway bridge over the Rhine, completed in 1862, further facilitated this growth.

Mainz Central Station is also known for its impressive train hall, which was the longest in Europe at the time of its opening. The hall spanned 300 meters in length and 47 meters in width, built with a structure of cast and wrought iron, glass, and corrugated iron, creating a vast space supported by 60 wrought-iron columns. This architectural marvel remains a symbol of the city’s industrial and architectural achievements.