© Bildarchiv Monheim GmbH / Alamy Stock Photo (Rosenmontag), cuando la ciudad entera se paraliza para el gran desfile (3 de marzo). El recorrido, de casi ocho kiló-metros, está repleto de carrozas satíricas, cabezas gigantes (Schwellköpp) y figuras de papel maché y madera, creadas por los artistas locales. Entre bandas de música, abandera-dos y guardias de honor, la multitud baila y celebra sin parar. “Para quienes no hablan alemán, este es el momento ideal para participar”, asegura Gladden. “Disfrazarse es lo suyo, pero incluso sin disfraz la gente de Maguncia será encan-tadora y acogedora. ¡La fiesta es para todos!”, concluye el representante del Museo. festivales y un copa de vino frente al río Pero esto no es todo. Entre desfile y desfile, Maguncia tie-ne mucho que ofrecer. Es un placer perderse en su casco antiguo, salpicado de casitas barrocas que albergan cafe-terías, tiendas y bares con mucho carácter. En la plaza del Mercado, la imponente catedral de St. Martín roba las miradas, más aún en Navidad con su animado mercadillo. A un paso, la plaza de Gutenberg invita a echar un vistazo al teatro y su interesante cartelera cultural. El paseo no está completo sin una parada a orillas del Rin: copa de vino en mano, vistas al río y calma absoluta. Y en julio, en el paseo fluvial, el festival Mainzer Sommerlichter pone la guinda con fuegos artificiales y música. Maguncia siempre es un buen plan. ENG The Mainz Carnival, in German, may not appear on tourist maps, but this small city on the Rhine, capital of Rhineland-Palatinate 40 kilometres from Frankfurt, is not only famous for Johannes Gutenberg (1400-1468), inventor of the movable type printing press, but also for its historic carnival. The battle cry these days is ‘Helau’, without transla-tion, and it is impossible not to shout it as the floats pass by. Three months of celebrations The Mainz carnival is considered ‘the fifth season of the year.’ It starts before any other, every 11 November, when at 11.11 am, in front of the Hof Steiner, a building dating from the Napoleonic era, the 11 laws are proclaimed, a kind of humorous handbook with advice on how to behave during carnival. But that’s just the warm-up, for ‘on 1 January, whi-le many are still dealing with the New Year’s hangover, the guards parade in uniform to welcome the carnival season,’ explains Kevin Gladden, a volunteer at the Mainz Carnival Museum (Fastnachtsmuseum), amused. Seven weeks before Easter comes the highlight of this carnival, one of the most historic in Europe, whose roots go back more than 700 years. The streets are filled with cha-racters that look like they belong to the Napoleonic troops, a nod to the years of French occupation. ‘Since 1837, the Prince’s Guard (Mainzer Prinzengarde) has led the military tradition. Now, the associations, more than 80 in the who-le city, are divided between guards and carnival clubs,’ says Gladden. Scathing criticism, funny speeches, music and dancing mix at the meetings organised by the associations, giving life to a cultural phenomenon that has put the city on the map. From Thursday (27 February), the streets vibrate with parades full of musicians, dancers, floats and troupes. On Saturday (1 March), the highlight is the children’s para-de (Jugendmaskenzug) with colourful parades, while on Sunday (2 March) the suburbs take over with their own cele-brations. The highlight comes on Rose Monday (Rosenmontag), when the entire city comes to a standstill for the big para-de (3 March). The almost eight-kilometre route is lined with satirical floats, giant heads (Schwellköpp) and papier-mâché and wooden figures created by local artists. Between mar-ching bands, flag-wavers and guards of honour, the crowds dance and celebrate non-stop. ‘For non-German speakers, this is the ideal time to join in,’ says Gladden, “but even without a costume the people of Mainz will be charming and welcoming - the party is for everyone,” concludes the museum representative. festivals and a glass of wine on the riverBut that’s not all. Between parade and parade, Mainz has a lot to offer. It’s a pleasure to lose oneself in the old town, dotted with baroque houses housing cafés, shops and bars full of character. On the Market Square, the imposing St. Martin’s Cathedral is a real eye-catcher, especially at Christmas with its lively flea market. Just a stone’s throw away, the Gutenbergplatz invites you to take a look at the theatre and its interesting cultural programme. A walk is not complete without a stop on the banks of the Rhine: a glass of wine in hand, a view of the river and absolute peace and quiet. And in July, the Mainzer Sommerlichter festival on the Rhine promenade is the per-fect finale with fireworks and music. Mainz is always a good place to be. FRANKFURT Detalle de la columna de clavos de la Primera Guerra Mundial // Detail of World War I nail column FRANKFURT Vuelos // Flights: Dos frecuencias al día programa Air Europa entre Madrid y la ciudad alemana, que está a apenas 40 kilómetros de Maguncia, para disfrutar de su carnaval. // Air Europa schedules two flights a day between Madrid and the German city, which is just 40 kilometres from Mainz, so you can enjoy its carnival. www.aireuropa.com