Discover Darmstadt

Good morning! Let`s get ready and begin your final leg of your trip. After the breakfast you are heading to Darmstadt.

Your first visit brings you this unique architectural ensemble in Darmstadt. The Mathildenhöhe contains various buildings, gardens, sculptures, and fountains. It was founded by Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig in 1897 to promote arts and craft of Hesse. As you are discovering this magnificent place you find interesting facts about the Artists ‘Colony.
Open Hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11 a.m. - 6 p.m
Official website

After leaving your car and a short walk you arrive to these 50 metres tall, magnificent tower which was built in 1908 by Josef Maria Olbrich. It was a commemoration to the wedding between Ernst Ludwig and Princess Eleonore of Solms-Hohensolms-Lich.
As you admire the wedding tower, you can discover the western façade adjoining the plane tree grove. On the northern side the golden tower clock dominates the building. Its numerals are supported by three ornamental round arches. The southern side contains a large sun dial which is surrounded by the twelve zodiac signs. In the background you can see a blue glass mosaic frieze with golden stars.
In the relief above the entrance porch, you can read an inscription written from the wedding. There are also four semi-nude female figures symbolizing the virtues of the wedding couple.
Inside the tower is divided into seven floors. The entrance hall is on the ground floor, the wedding room which is on the fifth floor and the Prince`s room on the fourth floor. All of them individually decorated. It also contains an observation platform where you can enjoy a panoramic view to Darmstadt.
Official website

The next place you visit is this Othodox Church which built for the last Empress of Russia between 1897-1899. This way he was able to attend a service when he visited Darmstadt with his wife. The church was dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene.
The golden onion domes and building material are great representation of Russia. Immerse yourself with the interior design which includes paintings and mosaics and reflect the royal wealth during the late 19th century.
Opening Hours: Monday Closed Tuesday - Saturday 11a.m.–3p.m. Sunday 2–4p.m.

It is time for a brake. This beer garden is situated in the heart of Darmstadt. Enjoy your delicious lunch in a relaxing atmosphere.
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday 1–11p.m. Friday 1p.m.–12a.m. Saturday 12p.m.–12a.m. Sunday 12–11p.m.

After the lunch you continue your discovery of the city`s history. The original Palace Museum was established by last Grand Duke of Hesse by Rhine and opened to the public in 1924. Immerse yourself of the various artifacts, paintings, photographs, and documents which give you an insight of Hesse and Darmstadt`s past.
Opening Hours: Monday - Thursday Closed Friday - Sunday 10a.m.–5p.m.

While you are walking in the heart of the city, you come across this 40-metre-high column and statue built between 1841 – 1844 by Georg Moller and Balthasar Harres. It named after the first Grand Duke of Hesse and by Rhine Ludwig I who ruled from 1830 to 1848. The Neoclassical monument portray Ludwig dressed in Roman garb and holds the constitution in his right hand. It has a nickname “Langer Ludwig” which means Tall Ludwig.
For a small fee, you can walk up to the platform which is under the statue and 30 meters high.

After picking up your car at Mathildenhöhe, continue your trip to a unique residential building. It built in the 1990s and designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser. The architecture of the building is quirky and colorful. The spiraling bands of texture, curved edges and the random sized windows gives Worldspirale a playful fabled quality. Its name means “forest spiral” which refers to natural features such as the soil which reflected by the colour design and the green roof which planted with grove of lime, beech, and maple trees. Don`t forget to take photos.
Opening Hours: Monday - Wednesday 7a.m.–6p.m. Friday - Sunday Closed

Before you are heading back to Frankfurt, visit the wonderful Darmstadt`s Rose Heights. The 19th century park is a unique combination of landscape park, orchard meadows, historic buildings, sculptures, and burial grounds for Hesse's Grand Ducal family. It also contains several exotic trees such as the Atlas cedar and the Rosarium with more than 200 rose species.
Open 24 hours.

Don`t forget to have dinner before you start your journey back to Frankfurt. This beautiful restaurant with its arched windows offers traditional German meals.
Opening Hours: Monday till Thursday: 9.30 a.m –11.30 p.m Friday: 9.30 a.m – 12:00 p.m Saturday: 9.00 – 12:00 p.m Sunday: 9.00 – 11 p.m

On the way home evoke the experience of the last few days.