page_title: Port of Mainz
section_title: Middle Ages
hierarchical_section_title: Port of Mainz / History / Middle Ages
caption_attribution_description: English: Historical excursion riverboats on the Rhine, docked in front of the old town of Mainz, Germany. The area still looks remarkably like this today, and even the riverboats (of a newer breed) are still there.
context_page_description: The Port of Mainz is the port of Mainz, Germany. Lying on the western bank of the Rhine river, it has a long history reaching back through the Middle Ages to Roman times. The modern port facilities, existing for approximately 120 years in their general environs, are located mostly to the north of the city proper, and will be extended to the north of their current location during the coming years to make space for a new residential area.
context_section_description: For the early Middle Ages, there is limited information about any port facilities, possibly reflecting the much-reduced stature of the city. However, in 1317 Mainz, in addition to becoming a market town, received staple rights. This meant that any river trading ship had to unload its goods and offer them for sale to the local citizenry for three days. Only after this period was it allowed to travel on with its remaining goods. This legal control over the merchant shipping on the Rhine helped make the city rich.
caption: Excursion riverboats in the early 20th century.
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