Around the Area

IMB & SFB 1361 Conference - The evil within: Regulation and repair of endogenous DNA damage

10 - 13 March 2026 at IMB in Mainz, Germany

Around the Area

The city of Mainz is a charming, open-minded city. It dates back 2,000 years to Roman times and still has a historic centre with a magnificent medieval cathedral. Founded by the Romans as Mogontiacum, Mainz is one of the oldest cities in Germany with much to offer: situated at the confluence of the Rhine and Main rivers, Mainz has a sizeable university, fine pedestrian precincts and a certain “savoir vivre” whose origins go back to the Napoleon’s occupation at the turn of the 18th century – at least that’s what the “Mainzer” say.

The city is located at the confluence of two of the most important rivers in Germany, the Rhine and the Main, and has spectacular esplanades. Strolling along the Rhine river, enjoying the sun in the beer gardens, and sampling local wines in a half-timbered wine tavern in the Altstadt (old part of the city) are as much part of any Mainz visit as visiting the impressive Romanesque Dom St. Martin (St. Martin Cathedral), Marc Chagall’s ethereal windows in St. Stephan’s Kirche (Church of St. Stephan) or the first printed bible in the Gutenberg Museum. In the 15th century, local hero Johannes Gutenberg perfected moveable type and became known as the inventor of modern book printing – the man of the millennium.

Not only is Mainz the capital of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, but also one of the “Great Wine Capitals” of the world along with Bordeaux and Napa Valley. Every weekend, the Mainz wine growers tempt you with exquisite wine during your Saturday morning market stroll at the Mainz Market or better know as "Mainzer Marktfrühstück". Additionally, they also set up a wine tasting stand near Fischtorplatz inviting you to linger by the river with a glass of wine.

Only meals explicitly listed in the programme will be provided as part of the conference.

During the free evening, participants are free to explore Mainz to take in the sights and have a taste of regional food and wine.

Please note that the dining locations named are just a selection of many which can be found in the Mainz region and the organisers cannot be held responsible for availability and/or level of service.

During the excursion, participants will already have the chance to explore the area and enjoy the sights.

If you are then looking for more to do, we have curated a selection of places to visit and experience.