An over-life-size bronze statue of Johannes Gutenberg adorns the square that bears his name. The statue is based on a model by the Danish sculptor Berthel Thorvaldsen. Fully restored in 2010, the monument depicts the famous inventor of movable type. As we do not have a contemporary portrait of Gutenberg, the statue is of an idealised scholar of his time – bearded, well dressed and carrying a bible and a printing plate.
When the monument was first unveiled in 1837, the people of Mainz celebrated for three full days. Even today, the area around the monument is a lively spot, especially on St. John's Eve when the city celebrates its most famous son.
