Hanau, situated in a fertile plain at the junction of the Kinzig with the Main, is an important road and rail junction and a considerable industrial town.
Portions of the old wall that once surrounded the little town of Büdlingen can still be seen. The town also has some lovely old buildings and a 13th C castle.
North of the Marktplatz in Hanau is the Old Town Hall (rebuilt 1958), now the Goldschmiedehaus (exhibition of Hanau jewelry, a reproduction of an old goldsmith's workshop, special exhibitions). In front of the house is the Justice Fountain (1611).
In the Marktplatz in Hanau stands the New Town Hall (Neustädtisches Rathaus; built 1725-33, rebuilt 1962-65), with a carillon. In front of it can be seen a monument to Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm, founders of German philology, who were born in Hanau.
South of Wilhelmsbad and west of Hanau's old town, on the Main, stands Schloss Philippsruhe (Baroque; much altered 1875-80), which now houses the Hanau Historical Museum (ceramics, silver, pictures; Brothers Grimm Collection). Part of the Schlossgarten is a sculpture garden (works by contemporary sculptors). The Brothers Grimm Fairy tale Festival is held here every summer.
Address: Schloss Philippsruhe, Philippsruher Allee 45 , D-63454 Hanau, Germany
3km/2mi northwest of Hanau's old town lies the district of Wilhelmsbad, once a summer residence of the Landgraves of Hesse and, until its mineral spring dried up, a fashionable spa. The old spa features (lakes, artificial ruins, hermitage) were renovated in the 1960s, and this is now an attractive and popular recreation area.
At Parkpromenade 4 is the Hessian Doll Museum (Puppenmuseum; dolls from ancient times to the present day; dolls' houses).