Gutenberg Museum

The Gutenberg Museum in Mainz, Germany, is dedicated to the history of printing and the legacy of Johannes Gutenberg, who developed movable metal type in the 15th century. The museum’s collections cover early printed books, printing presses and the development of typography.

Highlights include historic copies of the Gutenberg Bible and working reconstructions and examples of early printing presses and typecasting equipment. The museum presents both permanent collections and temporary exhibitions that explain the technical and cultural impact of print.

Founded to preserve and interpret the history of printing, the museum also offers demonstrations of historic printing techniques and educational displays that trace the transition from manual letterpress to later printing technologies. It is located in Mainz’s city centre, near other cultural institutions and riverfront areas.

• Living demonstrations: The museum traces the history of printing from early movable type through modern print technologies and regularly runs demonstrations of historic printing techniques.

What to See #

• Gutenberg Bible copies: Two original Gutenberg Bibles are part of the museum collection and are among the institution's most important exhibits, displayed under controlled conditions.
• Printing workshop and presses: A working demonstration printing shop and a range of historic printing presses and typecasting equipment illustrate the technology of movable type and printing processes.