Picture this: a sturdy stone tower rising above the Mainzer streets. This is the Haus zum Stein a truly remarkable building. It’s more than just bricks and mortar. It whispers tales of Mainz’s rich past.
The Haus zum Stein stands proudly in Weintorstrasse. It’s the oldest inhabited building in Mainz. Construction began at the end of the 12th century. Imagine the builders carefully placing each stone. They were creating a home a fortress. A testament to the power and wealth of its original owners.
The Judd vom Stein family were its first inhabitants. They were a wealthy Mainz patrician family. Eberhardus de Lapide is recorded as the owner around 1250. He expanded the tower. This caused conflict with Archbishop Christian II of Bolanden. Eberhardus cleverly avoided demolition. He promised to leave the Haus zum Stein to the Mainz Cathedral chapter after his death.
Despite this promise the Judd vom Stein family kept the Haus. They remained in the tower until the family died out around 1500. They made modifications. Windows were added to the ground floor. The property expanded over the years. It adapted to the needs of its owners. By 1657 Philipp Erwein von Schönborn owned it. Knights of the Holy Sepulchre and nuns lived nearby. Their convent was under construction.
During the siege of Mainz in 1793 the upper part of the tower was destroyed. A half-timbered floor with a gable roof replaced it. The gable facade was clad in slate. The tower’s original character was lost. But that was a long time ago.
Restoration work in the 1970s revealed well-preserved original parts. From 1981 to 1983 the tower was renovated. The restoration was a point of contention. There were disagreements between the preservation authorities and the city administration. The result is a reconstruction that blends the old and the new.
The Haus zum Stein is over 20 meters high. It has three floors. The ground floor has slit windows. The upper floors originally had coupled window arcades. These are now beautifully restored. Some of the original Romanesque features remain. These small details are a window into the past. The original structure and entrance are no longer visible. However some original materials were used in the reconstruction. The result is truly impressive.
Today the Haus zum Stein is privately owned. It is divided into apartments. Its story is one of resilience. It is an emblem of Mainz’s history. It continues to stand strong. A powerful symbol of a bygone era. A lasting tribute to the city. Remember it next time you walk the streets of Mainz.