The new ramp winds along the slope in a 180-degree turn toward the ramparts, creating a direct connection between Zitadellenweg and the Drususwall. The ramp’s design takes into account both the historical significance of the site and the current requirements for the use of Zitadellenweg.

In recent weeks, the final handrail and fence elements were installed, which not only serve as walking aids for visitors but also ensure the path’s safety in accordance with traffic regulations. This measure represents a significant improvement in the accessibility of the citadel area and helps facilitate access to one of Mainz’s most outstanding historical sites.

The official opening of the ramp took place in the presence of Ludwig Holle, Head of the Department of Construction, Monument Preservation, and Historical Heritage, and Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Department of Environment and Mobility. Other guests included Brian Huck, Mayor of Mainz’s Old Town; Tim Ott, Mayor of Mainz’s Upper Town; Christian Henkes from the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Union (NABU); and Kay-Uwe Schreiber from the Mainz Citadel Initiative.

“With the completion of this ramp, we have taken an important step toward preserving the historic character of the Citadel while simultaneously improving accessibility to this unique cultural monument,” explains Ludwig Holle, Head of the Department of Construction, Monument Preservation, and Historical Heritage.

Janina Steinkrüger, Head of the Environment Department: “The Citadel offers animals and plants a habitat of inestimable ecological value right in the heart of the city. Hundreds of animal and plant species live here, including over 60 that are on the Red List. The Citadel’s walls have provided undisturbed habitats for centuries and are biotopes of state-wide significance. The Citadel is thus a very important component of Mainz’s network of biotopes. And the Citadel is—and we will come to appreciate this again this summer—the green lung of the city center and therefore of particular importance for the urban climate.”

The newly constructed ramp, in which approximately 650,000 euros were invested—not including the restoration of the masonry—is part of a larger development project and is already the fourth section of the moat. This project envisages a circular path through the entire citadel area in the medium term. In the future, all visitors will be able to reach the ramparts from Zitadellenweg via the ramp and continue walking along the Drususwall. The path leads down Windmühlenstraße into the southwestern part of the moat. A planned staircase or elevator will provide access to the citadel via the southeast portal.

In addition, renovation work in the southeastern section of the moat will continue. Once this work is complete, the front section of the moat—from Zitadellenweg to the southeast portal—will be opened to the public, while the rear section toward the Drusus Bastion will be preserved in a natural state.

“This project demonstrates how historic sites can be successfully integrated into modern use without losing their unique character. The new ramp is a significant building block for the further development of the citadel as a cultural and historical monument of the city of Mainz,” Holle continued.

The new path layout represents a significant milestone in the design and underscores the special importance of this successful collaborative project: As part of the work, an environmentally friendly restoration was carried out that reconciles environmental protection with the requirements of historic preservation. It is particularly noteworthy that this project exemplifies how nature conservation and historic preservation can successfully go hand in hand. 

The City of Mainz will continue to invest in the preservation and further development of this significant cultural landscape in the future to make this cultural heritage accessible to everyone.

The construction work included, among other things:

• 1,200 m³ of soil to be excavated and disposed of
• 700 m² of water-bound path surface
• 130 m² of colored asphalt
• 2,250 m² of herb meadow
• 650 m² of hydroseeding
• 240 m of edging

The earthwork took about a year to complete, while the metalwork took about three months.

About the Renovation of the Mainz Citadel

The City of Mainz and the Mainz Building Management Department are continuously investing in the preservation and modernization of the Citadel, a designated historic site. The goal is to bring the historic fortifications to life while combining the highest standards of historic preservation, accessibility, and nature conservation for the benefit of all.