Mainz Cathedral in Germany is showcasing the world’s largest Bible page to the general public in honour of the 625th birthday of Johannes Gutenberg, the inventor of the printing press and producer of the Gutenberg Bible.
The 5 x 7.2 meter (16.4ft x 23.6ft) page presents the primary page of John’s Gospel with a translation from the Shuckburgh Bible, a style of Gutenberg Bible and it’s on display until Aug. 31, 2025. It has been placed within the east choir section of the cathedral.
The Mayor of Mainz, Nino Haase, and the Dean of Mainz Cathedral, Rev. Henning Priesel. presented the Bible page at a media presentation on April 28.
“The huge page of the Gutenberg Bible suits well into the east choir of Mainz Cathedral. In the literal sense of the word, it’s the hook for a lot of creative offers that we’re organising for young and old within the cathedral and within the cathedral and Diocesan Museum in the approaching weeks for the 625th anniversary,” said Cathedral Dean Rev Priesel.
“Johannes Gutenberg is a terrific son of town of Mainz, where else than within the cathedral could the biggest Bible page be appropriately presented? Unique. You must see it!”
A special reading corner within the All Saints’ Chapel at Mainz Cathedral complements the display, offering a number of Bible editions for each children and adults to read. Visitors are also invited to jot down down their favourite Bible passages in a guest book provided on site.
“The printing of the biggest Bible page on the planet was a powerful spectacle,” said Mayor Nino Haase. “I’m more than happy that it’s now receiving further attention with the exhibition in Mainz Cathedral and could be admired even further by the people of Mainz and, after all, the guests of our city as a highlight within the yr of the 625th birthday of the good inventor Johannes Gutenberg.”
The Bible page was printed using a standard letterpress technique on April 26 by printer Markus Kohz and his team from the International Gutenberg Society. The printing took place throughout the opening of the “Kultursommer” (Cultural Summer) event at Fischtorplatz square within the centre of Mainz. A pc-milled wood printer cliché was inked and pressed using the burden of a automobile that drove over it multiple times.
The Kultursommer event, themed around Johannes Gutenberg, celebrated the legacy of the inventor of the movable-type printing press.
The Bible page exhibition was made possible through the efforts of Mainz Cathedral staff, who also organized a special exhibition titled The Whole World on Parchment: The Choir Books from the Mainz Carmelite Monastery. The exhibition is on display on the Mainz Cathedral and Diocesan Museum and is accompanied by a related programme running through June 15.
A cathedral concert is planned to mark the Gutenberg anniversary and end of the Bible page exhibition with 200 participants on August 24. It will involve cathedral choirs, alongside the Mainz Philharmonic State Orchestra and the Collegium Musicum of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz. Music will involve the symphony cantata Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise) by Felix Mendelssohn.
 Mainz Cathedral in Germany is showcasing the world’s largest Bible page to the general public in honour of the 625th birthday of...){kind=link}