Tourist Attractions in Darmstadt

The Hessian Landesmuseum in Darmstadt has a picture gallery, collections of sculpture and graphic art, a department of applied art, a rich Art Nouveau collection and a mineralogical section.

In the east of Darmstadt is the Mathildenhöhe, on which Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig established an artists' colony (Art Nouveau houses and artists' studios) in 1899. In the center of the settlement are an exhibition building (temporary art exhibitions) and the 48m/157ft high Hochzeitsturm (Wedding Tower; views).

Adjoining are the Russian Chapel and, a short distance away, the Ernst-Ludwig-Haus (German Academy of Language and Literature; Art Nouveau Museum).

The College of Technology in Darmstadt borders on the east side of the Herrngarten.

Mary Shelley's novel is based in Frankenstein Castle in Darmstadt. Every year the castle is opened up for a festival to celebrate the famous monster. The events take place during the three weekends around Halloween.

The Herrngarten in Darmstadt contains the burial mound of Landgravine Henriette Caroline (1721-74).

The room at the College of Technology is dedicated to August Kekulé and includes many personal effects of the chemist. Of particular note is a book containing the names and photos of various donors.

The former Kollegiengebäude (1780) in Darmstadt is now occupied by the Regierungspräsidium (district administrative offices).

The Kunsthalle in Darmstadt was built in 1957 (exhibitions).

The 33m/108ft high Ludwigssäule, in Darmstadt's Luisenplatz, is topped by a bronze statue of Grand Duke Ludwig I (by Schwanthaler, 1844).

The neo-classical Ludwigskirche in Darmstadt was modeled on the Pantheon in Rome. In front of it is an obelisk commemorating Princess Alice, wife of Grand Duke Ludwig IV.

The Luisenplatz is in the center of Darmstadt.

The New Town Hall in Darmstadt's Luisenplatz has the Congress Center.

The neo-classical Old Theater (1819) in Darmstadt now houses the State Archives.

The rebuilt Old Town Hall (Renaissance) in Darmstadt has a staircase tower on the facade.

In the south of Darmstadt is the Orangery (1719), now used for conferences and social occasions.

The Prinz-Georg-Palais (17th C.) in Darmstadt has a valuable collection of porcelain and a Roccoco garden.

In the southern part of the central area of Darmstadt is the Pädagog (restored), a Renaissance building of 1629 which originally housed the first Latin School (grammar school) in Hesse; it is now occupied by various educational institutions.

5km/3mi northeast of Darmstadt is the old hunting lodge of Kranichstein, an imposing Renaissance building with an interesting Hunting Museum. There is a Railway Museum at the railroad station.

To the northeast of Darmstadt (reached by way of Dieburger Strasse) lies the Steinbrücker Teich recreation area (Wild West village; mini-golf; boat hire, etc.).

The Town Church (15th-18th C.) in Darmstadt has a burial vault containing the tombs of Landgraves of Hesse.

The White Tower in Darmstadt is a relic of the town's fortifications.

In the former village, Wixhausen, north of Darmstadt, there's a Village Museum (country life).

The museum is housed in a Franconian half-timbered farmhouse.

On the eastern outskirts of Darmstadt are the Vivarium (Zoo) and the Botanic Garden.