Ranzengardist, Mainz

Name: Ranzengardist
Address: Mainz, Germany

#70 among attractions in Mainz

Fountain

Gallery (1)

Map

Map

Facts and practical information

The Mainzer Ranzengarde was founded in 1837 by Johann Maria Kertell and is the oldest carnival corporation within the Mainzer Fastnacht. It therefore also bears the nickname "Mother of all Mainz Guards". In 1838, with the help of the Ranzengarde, the Mainzer Carneval-Verein was founded, which is the oldest carnival society in Mainz.

The name Ranzengarde derives from the word Ranzen, which in Mainz dialect means a big belly. Thus, one of the conditions of admission was that the applicant had to have a minimum weight of two hundredweight, or 100 kg, and a girth of at least six feet; this corresponds to about 150 cm. These conditions of admission were slowly abolished after the Second World War.

The guard was considered a parody of the guard and honorary company of the sovereign as well as of the Tall Guys, since not six feet in height but six feet in girth were required. At the first carnival meetings and the first Rose Monday parades, the Ranzengarde, equipped with wooden rifles, took over the "military protection".

The first headquarters of the Guard was located in the main guardhouse of the Mitterhäuschen in front of the Mainz Theater. The battle cry chosen was, in a modified form, that of the French General Pierre Cambronne, "The Guard eats and drinks, but it does not vomit!"

Coordinates: 49°59'57"N, 8°15'56"E

Address

Mainz Germany

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Day trips

Ranzengardist – popular in the area (distance from the attraction)

Nearby attractions include: Mainz Cathedral, Osteiner Hof, St. Stephan, Liebfrauenplatz.

0.4 miE
10th-century sandstone religious edifice
Mainz Cathedral, Mainz
11 min walk • Mainz Cathedral, or St. Martin's Cathedral, stands as a towering landmark in the heart of Mainz, Germany. This thousand-year-old church, a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, has been a witness to the city's history and a symbol of its enduring faith.
~890 ftSE
Baroque architecture, Palace, Vernacular architecture
Osteiner Hof, Mainz
5 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Mainz, Germany, the Osteiner Hof stands as a testament to the architectural grandeur of bygone eras. This majestic mansion, located at the corner of Schillerplatz, is one of the most prominent examples of Baroque architecture in the city.
~1520 ftSE
Chagall windows and a late-Gothic cloister
St. Stephan, Mainz
8 min walk • St. Stephan in Mainz, Germany, is not just any ordinary church; it's a collegiate church that holds a special place in the city's heart and history. Known for its stunning Gothic architecture, St. Stephan stands as a testament to the enduring legacy of religious...
0.4 miE
Square
Liebfrauenplatz, Mainz
11 min walk • Nestled in the heart of Mainz, Germany, Liebfrauenplatz is a charming square that serves as a magnet for tourists and locals alike. This picturesque plaza is surrounded by historical buildings and is known for its vibrant atmosphere and cultural significance.
~1120 ftE
Theater, Concerts and shows
Staatstheater Mainz, Mainz
6 min walk • The Staatstheater Mainz is a theatre in Mainz, Germany, which is owned and operated by the state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Situated on the Gutenbergplatz, the complex comprises two theatres which are connected by an underground passage and also by skywalk. Performances of opera, drama and ballet are presented.
~1990 ftE
Fountain
Marktbrunnen, Mainz
10 min walk • The Marktbrunnen in Mainz is a renaissance fountain located at the ″Markt″ of Mainz. It was donated by elector Albert of Mainz and crafted in the workshop of the Mainz sculptor Hans Backoffen.
~1630 ftE
Church, Romanesque architecture
St. John's Church, Mainz
8 min walk • St. John's Church is located beneath Mainz Cathedral in the historical center of Mainz, Germany. This 1100-year-old church was the first episcopal see of the Bishop of Mainz.
~1820 ftNE
Church, Gothic architecture
St. Christoph's Church, Mainz
9 min walk • The church of St. Christoph in Mainz, known in German as St. Christoph zu Mainz, is an example of early gothic architecture. St. Christoph was originally built between 1240 and 1330. The church is known as the Parish Church and Baptistry of Johannes Gutenberg.
0.4 miNE
Church, Baroque architecture
St. Peter's Church, Mainz
11 min walk • St. Peter's Church is located beneath Deutschhaus Mainz in the northwest of the historical center of Mainz, Germany. It is the one of the most important rococo buildings in Mainz. Originally it was a collegiate church monastery of ″St.
~1700 ftN
Museum with art and local history displays
Landesmuseum Mainz, Mainz
9 min walk • The Landesmuseum Mainz, or Mainz State Museum, is a museum of art and history in Mainz, Germany. In March 2010 it reopened in full after an extensive renovation.
0.4 miE
Church, Baroque architecture
Augustinerkirche, Mainz
12 min walk • The church of St. Augustin known in German as Augustinerkirche, was the minster of the Augustine friars in the city centre of Mainz. Today it is the seminary church of the Catholic theological seminary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mainz.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which popular attractions are close to Ranzengardist?

Nearby attractions include Schoppenstecher, Mainz (1 min walk), Walk of Fame of Cabaret, Mainz (1 min walk), Fastnachtsmuseum, Mainz (2 min walk), Bassenheimer Hof, Mainz (4 min walk).

How to get to Ranzengardist by public transport?

The nearest stations to Ranzengardist:

Bus

Schillerplatz • Lines: 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 60, 61, 62, 63, 90, 91 (2 min walk)
Münsterplatz • Lines: 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 6, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 78, 90, 91 (4 min walk)

Tram

Schillerplatz • Lines: 50, 52, 53 (2 min walk)
Münsterplatz • Lines: 50, 52, 53 (4 min walk)

Train

Mainz Hbf (9 min walk)
Mainz Römisches Theater (18 min walk)