Electoral Palace, Mainz

Palace Baroque palace in Mainz housing historical museum

Baroque Electoral Palace in Mainz sits beside the Rhine; visitors tour 18th-century rooms, stroll riverside promenades and explore Mainz Cathedral and the Gutenberg Museum.

Main image

The Electoral Palace in Mainz is the former residence of the Prince-electors (Elector-Archbishops) located in Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate. It is an important civic and historic building in the city centre.

The palace is commonly visited as part of Mainz’s historic core and is set adjacent to the cathedral and Rathaus area. Architectural elements around the complex date from multiple periods, and the site forms a focal point for nearby civic squares and riverside promenades.

Originally constructed and expanded to serve as the seat and residence of the Elector-Archbishops, the building complex housed administrative and ceremonial functions of the electorate. The palace experienced damage in 20th-century conflicts and has been subject to restoration and repairs since then.

Geographically the Electoral Palace occupies a central spot in Mainz, close to the banks of the Rhine and within walking distance of Mainz Cathedral and the old town. It forms part of the city’s main historic axis and is easy to reach on foot from central Mainz transport hubs.

  • Location tip: Sits immediately beside Mainz Cathedral and close to the Rhine, making the palace a frequent stop on city walking routes.
  • Historic role: The complex was the historic residence of the Elector-Archbishops of Mainz and has been restored after wartime damage.
Electoral Palace, Mainz
Electoral Palace (Kurfürstliches Schloss), Rheinallee / Schlossgarten, Mainz, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany
50.0067, 8.2706
Exterior: always accessible; interior/museum hours vary (check local listings)
Free to view exterior; guided interior visits or museum exhibitions vary

How to Get to Electoral Palace, Mainz #

From Mainz Hauptbahnhof it’s a 10-15 minute walk along Kaiserstraße and through the old town to the Electoral Palace near Schlossgarten and Mainz Cathedral. Local trams and buses stop in the inner city; the palace is easy to reach on foot from Gutenbergplatz.

Tips for Visiting Electoral Palace, Mainz #

  • Walk from Mainz Hauptbahnhof through the old town (about 10-12 minutes) to enjoy the approach and nearby Gutenbergplatz.
  • Look for the shell-pitted stone and the baroque garden details added in the 18th century - small signs of continual remodelling.
  • Check with the tourist office for temporary exhibitions inside the palace.

Best Time to Visit Electoral Palace, Mainz #

Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant walking weather and local cultural events around Mainz's cathedral quarter.

Spring
April-June · 8-20°C
Blossoms in the palace gardens and comfortable city walking.
Autumn
September-October · 10-18°C
Wine-harvest festivals in Rhineland-Palatinate and crisp light for photography.

Weather & Climate near Electoral Palace, Mainz #

Climate

Electoral Palace, Mainz's climate is classified as Oceanic - Oceanic climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 25°C. Moderate rainfall (572 mm/year).

Air Quality: AQI 44 Good
Best Time to Visit
AugustJuneJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
39°
Warmest Month
-19°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coolest month with highs of 4°C and lows of 0°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

46 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
93%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
3.0 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

February

February is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-1°
90%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
2.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (42 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

58 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
11°
85%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

42 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
0.4
UV Index
Low
11.7h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (40 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

63 Good

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cold
10°C
Temperature
15°
78%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

40 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
13.6h daylight

May

May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (58 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

65 Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
20°
76%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

58 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
15.3h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 23°C and lows of 12°C. Moderate rainfall (59 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

75 Very Good

Comfort

18°
Feels Like Cool
18°C
Temperature
13° 23°
70%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

59 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.4
UV Index
High
16.2h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. The wettest month with 64 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

73 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 25°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

64 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
15.7h daylight

August

August is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (44 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 25°
66%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

44 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.1
UV Index
High
14.3h daylight

September

September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 10°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

15°
Feels Like Cool
15°C
Temperature
10° 20°
71%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
12.5h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

10°
Feels Like Cool
10°C
Temperature
14°
84%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 8°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
92%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
8.8h daylight

December

December is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of 1°C. Moderate rainfall (49 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

43 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

49 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
7.9h daylight

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