The Enigma Surrounding the Missing Jupiter Column in Mainz - The organization "Preserve Roman Mainz" intends to restore the ancient column to its former location
The Great Mainz Jupiter Column, a significant testament to the Roman-German interaction in ancient Mogontiacum, remains in storage since its dismantling for restoration in 2015. The column, which boasts 28 intricate reliefs depicting a mix of Celtic and Roman gods, has been a centrepiece of Mainz Neustadt's history, influenced by the trade and harbor facilities along the Rhine.
Erected in honour of Emperor Nero, the column originally featured a gilded bronze Jupiter statue, standing over three meters tall, at its peak. The statue, along with the column, was discovered in 1905 at a depth of 2.5 meters in Mainz Neustadt.
The Great Mainz Jupiter Column, once a symbol of Roman architectural grandeur, served as a model for an entire genre of Jupiter Columns. A nearly exact copy of the original column has stood in front of the Mainz State Parliament since 1934. However, the original column has not returned to its original location since its dismantling for restoration.
The "Save the Roman" association, a recently formed group dedicated to improving the visibility and preservation of Roman monuments in Mainz, has made the return of the Great Mainz Jupiter Column their first goal. They have initiated campaigns for a Jupiter figure to be placed back on top of the restored column.
The association believes that the return of the Great Mainz Jupiter Column would not only enhance Mainz's historical charm but also serve as a reminder of the coexistence of legionaries and citizens in ancient Mogontiacum, as symbolised by the Great Mainz Jupiter Column and the Mainz Salus statue, found near the site of the Great Jupiter Pillar.
Despite the initiatives and demands from the "Save the Roman" association, there is no current publicly available information indicating that the Great Mainz Jupiter Column has been returned to its original location. The column, a witness to the Roman-German interaction, continues to await its return, as of August 2025.
Restoring the Great Mainz Jupiter Column to its original home-and-garden environment in Mainz Neustadt could potentially enhance the lifestyle of locals, reviving the historical charm associated with the Roman-German interaction in ancient Mogontiacum. The return of the column and subsequent installation of a new home for the Jupiter figure atop would serve as a reminder of the significant lifestyle changes that occurred during that era.
