Beten in Mainz

Religion as a challengeDuring its 2,000-year history, Mainz has been characterised by different religions. In ancient times, Celtic deities, oriental gods and Roman rulers were worshipped, while the early Christian faith gained a foothold from the 3rd century onwards. In the Middle Ages, the city became one of the spiritual centres of the Roman-German Empire and was also home to one of the oldest Jewish communities. As a SchUM city, Mainz and its Jewish community are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Even during the conflict-ridden Reformation period, Catholicism held its own and its unbroken tradition made Mainz a stronghold particularly loyal to the Vatican in the 19th century. During the First World War at the latest, Islam also found its way into the city with the arrival of Muslim soldiers from the Maghreb, and this volume takes a closer look at the numerous religious challenges in the urban context. It focuses on the individual fates of Mainz citizens, which are reflected in texts, images and material legacies. They tell of a variety of hopes and fears.