Ernst-Ludwig-Platz

Ernst-Ludwig-Platz is a polygonal open space in Mainz's historic Schlossviertel district, bordered by major administrative and governmental structures. The plaza accommodates public gatherings and serves as a connecting point between different parts of the city center.

The area developed from the Electoral Palace's garden grounds and was converted into a parade ground in 1776 by order of Elector Friedrich Carl Joseph von Erthal. This shift from landscaped gardens to open ceremony space marked a major change in how the area was used.

The square serves as a meeting point where historic landmarks like the Electoral Palace and St. Peter's Church frame the space. Visitors can experience how this area bridges Mainz's past and its contemporary urban character.

The plaza is easy to reach on foot and sits centrally in the district, so expect other visitors especially during events. An underground parking facility beneath the square and Ernst-Ludwig-Straße provides parking options for those arriving by car.

A section of the original plaza was renamed Helmut-Kohl-Platz in 2018 to honor the former German Chancellor. This naming choice distinguishes one area and commemorates recent German political history.