Tips 1 - 10 of 25 Darmstadt Things to Do
|
|
 |
Things To Do: Don't miss a side trip to Bergstrasse
|
Tip Rating:   |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
As I am just too lazy or busy otherwise to write about these little gems dotted along Bergstraße south of Darmstadt, it might take ages until I can post something here.
But - help is on the way for those of you who will stumble upon my pages :-)
I saw with delight that Christine has just started to write about the nature area or nature park Naturpark Bergstrasse :-)
She has added already some beautiful locations like Auerbacher Schloss (castle of Auerbach) and the falconing there and Fürstenlager (uff, now how to translate this - duke's summer residence). And also about a very romantic and lovely old Roman bridge near Weinheim.
Keep your eyes open, as she is planning to write more about this area.
And don't forget to look at Weinheim and Ladenburg, two very lovely villages with old town centre just 1 hour south of Darmstadt.
If you happen to be in the area – Bergstraße is famous for excessive spring blossoming between Weinheim and Zwingenberg. It is really a feast for the eye: pink and white blossoms and all shades in between let Bergstraße explode in colour during springtime (see photo 5).
Leave a Comment
Directions: Bergstraße stretches between Darmstadt and Heidelberg. On maps it is called B 3 (Bundestraße 3; yellow signs)
Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bergstra%C3%9Fe
|
|
|
|
|
|
 Visiting Darmstadt? Read reviews about Darmstadt Hotels Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
|
|
|
Things To Do: Luisenplatz - Darmstadt's main square
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Luisenplatz is Darmstadt's main centre square. Since years, it is free of car traffic (all cars are lead through the city tunnel). However, it is still the main traffic junction of town, as it is the crossing of all street trains for changing lines. It is usually jammed with people, street trains and busses (maybe at night I could probably take a picture with less crowds :-)), and non-locals should pay extra care not to be run over by one of them (serious !).
The name of this square derives from Grossherzogin (grand duchess) Luise, whose husband Ludewig I is the ever-present main centre of the square, on top of the monument. "Langer Lui" (long Lui, Lui is Hessian dialect for Ludwig), how the monument is called among the locals, has been erected on the occasion of the first constitution, given to Darmstadt in 1844.
A bit older (1780) is the collegiate building on the northern part of the square (the one in the photo), domicile for the ministries. It was destroyed in WWII, but rebuilt true to original, and now houses the regional council.
Update January 2008:
new weblink below
Leave a Comment
Address: Darmstadt, Luisenplatz
Directions: You can't miss it; it is where all streetcar lines stop, and which can be seen when approaching the town from the west (Autobahn).
Website: http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/luisenplatz/index.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: White Tower - guards the city
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Originally, Weisser Turm (White Tower) was part of Darmstadt's city wall in 14th century, which was built by the dukes of Katzenelnbogen, the city’s founders. But it was much smaller than today, and also served as defence tower with pinnacles. Early 18th century, it was built up to it's today's height. It is said that it had some secret passages in these days, which was used by the dukes quite frequently to leave the castle and do whatever they wanted to do secretly.
In the course of time it was bell tower, dungeon, treasure chamber for the county's archive and today as little museum which houses exhibitions from time to time. During the bombing night of September 11, 1944 in WWII , it was heavily bombed, but reconstructed in the 50-ies.
Today, it's also one of Darmstadt's main meeting points :-)
Guided tours are available; the tower is open Wednesday 15:00-19:00 and Saturday 13:00-17:00.
Update January 2008:
new weblink below (still German only) and revised opening hours.
Leave a Comment
Phone: (49) 06151- 3684026
Address: Darmstadt, near Residential Castle - city centre
Directions: From Luisenplatz, head east, direction castle. It is on your right, just next to Kaufhof department store.
Website: http://www.weisser-turm-da.de/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: Marktplatz - market square
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Marktplatz (market square, place) is another centre square, situated opposite of the main entrance of Residenzschloß / Residence Castle. On Saturdays, market is held with local products, mostly vegetables and flowers. However, compared with other cities like Mannheim, the market here in Darmstadt is quite lousy. Maybe the city officials don’t encourage our farmers to come and sell or, as usual, the rental is too high. Or, the amount of farmers in the region decreased. Where I live, people could buy fresh milk from farmers until some time ago. But now no more, no more dairy farmers in my region.
The market place exists since mid 14th century, after Darmstadt got the “city rights” in 1330, which gave permission to held weekly and yearly markets.
At it’s end, there is the Rathaus / town hall (see photo), which is late renaissance (built 1588-90), but was rebuilt in it’s original style after WW II bombing. It houses some municipal departments, and the civil registration office as well.
But most famous is the restaurant “Ratskeller”, which serves Bavarian snacks and has it’s own brewery (Export and Pils and Maibock in the season). It is open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight.
Update January 2009:
new weblink below
Leave a Comment
Address: Darmstadt, opposite of Residence Castle
Website: http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/marketsquare/index.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: Residence Castle – home to the police
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Haha, yes, the heading is a bit misleading, as not only the police took over some of the castle wings as offices, but there is also a museum and several parts of Technical University and the city administration are housed there.
As with so many historical buildings of Darmstadt, the castle was also often destroyed and finally heavily bombed during WW II. Renovation was slow and is still ongoing. At least, during the 18 years I live here, I never saw the castle without a building crane.
The museum is surely worth a visit if you are interested in local history. I have to confess, I never made it yet. Maybe one day. But it is nice to stroll around in the several courtyards, as it is quiet and a nice place to flee from the crowds. Inside, there is a cafe (at the northern entrance) and during the summer festivals (Burggrabenfest, to be precise) the courtyards are full with little stands and eateries.
The museum is open Monday – Thursday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (maybe that’s why I never made it there – these are "funny" opening hours….). Entrance fee is 3 €, but you can only visit in combination with a guided tour (which is free of charge, once you bougth the entrance ticket).
Update January 2009:
new weblink below
Leave a Comment
Address: Darmstadt
Directions: From Luisenplatz, head east until you reach the market square. Then turn left and enter the castle's courtyard through the main entrance (photo 1). The museum is then to your right (photo 3)
Website: http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/residential/index.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
Visiting Darmstadt? Read reviews about Darmstadt Hotels Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.
|
|
|
Things To Do: Hessisches Landesmuseum (museum)
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Darmstadt Landesmuseum (county museum) has a nice collection of different variety in geology, palaeontology, zoology (huge amount of stuffed animals in dioramas), paintings (of such famous artists as Max Beckmann, Paul Klee, August Macke and Peter Paul Rubens), glass paintings from medieval to 20th century, medieval ivory carvings, religious wood sculptures, and technical instruments of 18-19th century (such as microscopes, scales, globes, etc).
The palaeontology collection is quite big, as Grube Messel (Messel pit) is close by and UNESCO Heritage since 1995.
Unfortunately, there is no leaflet to take with you when visiting the museum, so it might appear a bit chaotic in it's collections, also as the variety of the different exhibitions is quite big. I missed a kind of logical "time line" in it, or a recommendation, which exhibitions to visit in which sequence. Also, some of the staff is a bit chaotic (in the geology-palaeontology I asked which direction I should go - she recommended to start with the Mammuts, which would have brought me backwards in time:-)...
But still, it's worth a visit.
The website, however, is quite good, and can serve as a kind of guide - unfortunately only in German. Same for most of the descriptive signs. Room for improvement.
In my Local Customs tips, I will add some more info and some pictures of the collections.
Entrance fee: 2,50 Euro
Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 10-17, Wed: 10-20, Sun: 11-17
Update, June 19, 2007, ff:
The museum is closed for renovation. But not as one would expect for one year only - no, it is incredible 4 years... closed for renovation....
Who does not believe that this would happen in any museum - please see here:
Museum closed until 2011.....
I still cannot believe it....
Leave a Comment
Phone: 0049-6151-165703
Address: Friedensplatz 1, Darmstadt
Directions: by car: exit DA centre, then east (dir. Aschaffenbg). If you are in Karlstrasse and have the sastle on your left hand, it is the building as in photo 1 on your right. Parking lots in basement garage.
by streetcar: line 3 or 9, stop "Castle".
Website: http://www.hlmd.de/w3.php?nodeId=302
Other Contact: email: info@hlmd.de
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: Mathildenhöhe & Artists’ Colony
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
One of Darmstadt’s most famous sights is without doubt “Mathildenhöhe” and the Artists’ Colony with Art Nouveau (Jugendstil) buildings and a museum. Founded in 1899 by Great Duke Ernst Ludwig, it quickly became one of the centers for this art style. Centre of the colony is Ernst-Ludwig Haus, which is now a museum for Art Nouveau artefacts of these days. Close by, you will find the houses of the famous architects and designers, Ernst-Ludwig brought to Darmstadt : Joseph Maria Olbrich, Peter Behrens, Albin Müller, Hans Christiansen and Ludwig Habich.
During the prospering times of Artists’ Colony, 4 exhibitions took place, to promote views of modern architecture, decoration and interior design: 1901 “A Document of German Art”, 1904 “Three Houses Group”, 1908 “Hessen State Exhibition for the Fine and Applied Art” and 1914 one, which was concentrating on modern rental accomodation.
If you want to learn more about the houses and their inhabitants, please see my local customs section.
But it is not only the Artists’ Colony that makes Mathildenhöhe worth a visit – you will also see the famous Wedding Tower, nowadays symbol of Darmstadt, the Russian Chapel, the Sycamore Grove, and another museum, the Municipal Exhibition Building, which houses constantly changing art exhibitions.
Museums and Wedding Tower require entrance fees (see separate tips). It is not possible to enter the artists’ houses, as all are inhabited by private persons or institutions. But just wandering along gives a nice glimpse of the architecture, inmidst gardens and parks.
Leave a Comment
Address: Darmstadt, Mathildenhoehe
Directions: Mathildenhöhe is NE of DA’s city centre, so depending where you come from, you will end up in Landgraf-Georg-Strasse (leading E from city centre). From here, direction E (Dieburg), follow the signs to Mathildenhöhe, and turn left (N).
Website: http://www.mathildenhoehe.info/
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: Wedding Tower – tribute to the dukes
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
The Hochzeitsturm (wedding tower) was a gift of Darmstadt's citizen to Gossherzog (Grand Duke) Ernst-Ludwig when he married Elenore von Solm-Hohensolms-Lich in 1905. Architect was Joseph Maria Olbrich (1867-1908), who has designed the tower according to echelon gables of Gothic brick buildings in northern Germany. The finished building, however, is of Expressionism style.
The tower is 48,5 m in height, and architectonically separated into three parts:
grey base with entrance portal, the nearly windowless body of the tower, made of dark-red clinker and the five pinnacle top with copperfoil and violet blind stones.
On top of the entrance, sculptor Heinrich Jobst (1874-1943) has created a relief, which shows personifications of the four virtues of rulers: strength, wisdom, fairness and benignity. The inscription below mentions the marriage and is flanked by the coat of arms of Darmstadt (the lion).
Also, mosaic of entrance portal, sundial on the southern side and a clock on the northern side have famous sculptors, but more about that in a separate tip in the local customs section.
The wedding tower is open to the public and I highly recommend to get up to the top. The tower is built on the highest elevation of Darmstadt (well, highest within town limits) and so magnificent views of the city and surroundings are guaranteed, weather permitted (see photo 3, taken in winter). On good days I could see as far as Frankfurt and its skyline. Don’t worry, there is no need to walk upstairs, as there is an elevator. But I recommend to walk downstairs to get views of the two rooms inside, one for the duke and one for his wife (photos 4 and 5).
Opening hours:
March to Oct.: Tue-Sun: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Nov. to Feb.: Fr-Sun: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission fee:
€1,50, and €0,50 for kids under 18 yrs.
Update January 2009:
new weblink below. Out of a reason forever buried to me, Mathildenhöhe's website has chosen to mention the wedding tower no longer....
Leave a Comment
Address: Darmstadt, Mathildenhöhe
Directions: (see above, as for Mathildenhoehe)
Website: http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/mathildenhoehe/hochzeitsturm/index.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Things To Do: Russian Chapel, link to the rich & famous
|
Tip Rating: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Russian Tsar Nikolaus II married princess Alix of Darmstadt November 26, 1894. As he did not want to miss attending Orthodox services during his visits at Alix' family, he had commissioned the building of this chapel. Between 1897 and 1899 it was constructed by Leontij Nikolajewitsch Nebnois (Louis N. Benois), architect from St. Petersburg and grandfather of Peter Ustinov. The chapel is devoted to Mary Magdalene, with a big mosaic above the entrance portal.
But the chapel is no remains, it is still the religious centre of Darmstadt’s Orthodox people. Service is held regularly. It is possible to visit the church, but it is expected to give a small donation for restoring. Given the magnificent interior and exterior, minimum 1 € is considered appropriate. A lot of the exterior has been renovated over the years. I remember to have seen it in 1989, when I first came to Darmstadt; these days it looked not as splendid as today. And today – a blue sky lets the golden cupola with the crosses gleam like liquid gold.
Don’t miss to look at the basin in front of the chapel (photo 4). It is called Lily Basin and was also created by the Colony’s artists.
Interesting note on the side:
Princess Alix was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of England. After her marriage, she changed her name into Alexandra Fjodorowna and was the last Tsarina of Russia.
Update January 2009:
new weblink below (in German and Russian)
Leave a Comment
Address: Mathildenhoehe
Directions: (see above, as for Mathildenhoehe)
Website: http://darmstadt.russian-church.de/index.php?id=2&sp=de&datum=2009-01-12
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Join a Discussion transportation from Darmstadt to Frankfurt // flat prices
(2 replies, Thursday, May 28, 2009, 7:15 PM UTC) places to go
(1 replies, Sunday, May 15, 2005, 7:19 PM UTC) Darmstadt we have a problem
(4 replies, Wednesday, Jan 7, 2004, 4:22 PM UTC) » All Darmstadt Posts
» Ask about Darmstadt Destinations near Darmstadt- Pfungstadt, 7.75 km / 4.82 miles
- Eschollbrücken, 9.06 km / 5.63 miles
- Seeheim-Jugenheim, 11.72 km / 7.28 miles
- Groß-Gerau, 12.62 km / 7.84 miles
- Langen, 13.74 km / 8.54 miles
- Dreieich, 14.83 km / 9.21 miles
- Gernsheim, 16.49 km / 10.25 miles
- Trebur, 18 km / 11.18 miles
- Fürstenlager, 18.98 km / 11.79 miles
- Hering, 19.76 km / 12.28 miles
» See all locations nearby» Popular Land Hessen locations» Popular Germany locations» Popular Europe locations |
 Comments for Trekki about Darmstadt | | | | |
leics Mon Aug 17, 2009 06:30 UTC
Yes.....out of season, stay overnight (looks like nice walks down to the river too), maybe do the tour. Worth an exploration imo. Off to Malta now. Hugs. Jx | BruceDunning Wed Aug 5, 2009 22:53 UTC
I know why you get behind in posting comments-you have such good detail and indepth perspective. Thank yo for the tour | LoriPori Fri Jan 23, 2009 12:43 UTC
Really enjoyed your home page of Darmstadt. It's not really so bad. My favourites are the Wedding Tower, Ernst-Ludwig Haus, the oldest part - Ressungen, St. Ludwig Church & the art nouveau house - Moosberstrasse No. 60 | Escadora7 Sun Oct 5, 2008 07:23 UTC
Hallo Ingrid! Nice Darmstadt tips - I went there for a business trip, but other than the ESOC buildings, I didn't see much! Bummer - looks like I missed a lot. Viele Grüße aus Los Angeles, Eve |
|
Best Darmstadt Travel Deals
$399 Cancun All-Inclusive
5 Nights in a 5-Star Beachfront Resort for only $399 Per Couple!
Cheap Hotels
Save up to 50% with Hotels.com Over 85,000 Properties Worldwide!
Hotels Deals
Great Hotel Deals & Packages at Marriott's Official Site. Book Now.
Sponsored Links |
email me
add as friend
on Dec 27, 2007
