DARMSTADT tourist attractions

Darmstadt is a historic city and at the same time an important cultural center of Hesse. At the beginning of the 20th century, an artistic colony was established here, which commemorates the museum and historic buildings on the Mathildenhoehe Hill.

The city was founded in the Middle Ages and its original urban layout has been preserved to this day. In the 18th century, the building was rebuilt in the Baroque style, which is visible to this day. The most important buildings from this period are the Luisen Square with the statue of Louis I and the orangery serving today as a concert hall with excellent acoustics. In turn, from the nineteenth century comes the classical church built on the plan of the district. Ludwika and the church of St. Mary Magdalene.

In 1899, Prince Ernest Ludwik founded an artistic colony on Mathildenhoehe Hill. Up to the time of World War I, over 20 artists from various fields lived and worked in it. Its symbol became the wedding tower with a viewing terrace built in 1908. On the hill there were art studios, a library, a concert hall and exhibition pavilions. Today, the history of this place is reminded by the Künstlerkolonie Museum and the Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt Institute.

Darmstadt is known for its gardens and parks. The most important of them is Rosenhöhe, in which there is a nineteenth-century rosarium. Others include the Darmstadt Botanic Garden, Vortex Garden - Mathildenhoehe and Herrn Garden. The Vivarium Zoological Garden is also a popular place to spend free time.

In addition to the Wedding Tower, the symbol of Darmstadt is the Waldspirale (Forest Spiral) house designed by Hundertwaser. It is an unusual building in which there are no two identical apartments, windows, doors or even door handles. It looks like a ramp that climbs up to the height of the 12th floor.

The city is also known for its museums. In addition to the institutions associated with the artistic colony, there are also the Hesse State Museum Darmstadt, the Palace Museum Darmstadt and the Museum of the Old Town Hinkelsturm.