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State Capital Wiesbaden A city with flair and charm |
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Wiesbaden at a glance
Solidity and elegance, splendid houses in generously laid-out streets or on stately estates, in addition to richly overgrown parks. The atmosphere in Wiesbaden is characterised by chic and the special flair but also a cheerful everyday life round off the image of an internationally sought-after city, which is conveyed to visitors to the Hessian state capital in their first impressions.
The elegant high-rise buildings of the numerous authorities and insurance companies that settled here after the war and German division are also part of the appearance of a state capital.
The landscapes surrounding the city are immediately recognisable to those arriving before they reach the depression with the city centre: the Rheingau and Taunus. Mainz lies in the plain across the Rhine.
The city centre presents culture and history: one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in Germany, the State Theatre, which was commissioned by the Emperor in 1892-94 and built in Renaissance style by the most important theatre architects of their time, the Viennese architects Fellner and Helmer. From 1806 Wiesbaden was the capital and residence of the Dukes of Nassau. Another sight in the city centre, surrounded on Saturday by richly filled market stalls, is the seat of the Hessian Parliament.
Above the city, the onion domes of a Russian Orthodox church tower above the treetops. Visible evidence of the love of the Russian high and moneyed nobility for the spa town and the resident of the highly respected noble family of Nassau. In the immediate vicinity, the Russian cemetery, also the final resting place of the painter Alexej von Jawlensky, who belonged to the artist group "Der Blaue Reiter" (The Blue Rider) of Franz Marc and Wassily Kandinsky.
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Griechische Kapelle * Nerobergbahn * Biebricher Schloss * Casino * Kurhaus * Hauptbahnhof
History:
Charlemagne's biographer is probably responsible for the present-day name of the Hessian capital: "Wisibada", Bad in den Wiesen (Bath in the Meadows), he noted when describing the place that had already become dear to the Romans centuries before as a bathing and recreation resort.
Roman legions were camped on the opposite side of the Rhine in the fort of Moguntiacum (today Mainz). So that the tired warriors could regain their strength, they took a "wellness holiday" on the other side of the river.
But the springs were not a Roman discovery. The Germanic tribes, who belonged to the Mattiaker tribe, had long known about the healthy waters of the earth around today's Wiesbaden. Above the entrance to Germany's most beautiful spa house (Kaiser Wilhelm II) is written in large letters: AQUIS MATTIACIS: the water of the Mattiakers.
Between 1200 and 1243, the Counts of Nassau built a series of castles and fortifications, the ruins of which can still be seen in some suburbs. Under the House of Nassau, Wiesbaden experienced its first great heyday.
In the following centuries, the town's attractiveness faded. The trading and bathing town was then only a market town, the plague raged, and history left inglorious traces. But from 1806, with the beginning of the reign of the Dukes of Nassau, who had elevated the city to their residence, Wiesbaden's unstoppable rise began. The countless springs did their bit. Soon there were more spa guests than inhabitants, and barely half a century later the title "World Spa City" appeared for the first time. The European aristocracy, crowned heads and wealthy citizens chose Wiesbaden as their favourite holiday resort.
In the middle of the 19th century, Wiesbaden was the world capital of the top hotel industry. In no other city were there as many grand hotels (most of which had direct access to one of the countless healing springs) as here. This would correspond to a present-day hotel stock of 80 five-star hotels, several of which are still in operation today. The Palace Hotel, one of the few Art Nouveau buildings, was the first in Germany with a room telephone. Hundreds of fans once waited in front of its balustrade to cheer on the great Caruso, who gave a concert there.
The fact that Wiesbaden still has so many magnificent houses and undestroyed streets is due to a decision by the Allies during the Second World War. Like Heidelberg, the city was to be spared from bombing and artillery fire, as it was intended to build its headquarters there after the war. Both were realised.
After the end of the war, the former Nassau residence became the capital of Hesse.
Worth experiencing:
The Kurhaus colonnades, the longest colonnades in Europe flanking the building, frame the bowling green surrounded by plane trees in front of the Kurhaus. A veritable fairground that is the location of the Theatrium cultural festival. Apropos festival meadow. Richard Wagner composed some important passages of his opera "Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg" when he stayed in Wiesbaden.
Pretty much everything that has legs, especially four, has been meeting in Biebrich Palace Park at Whitsun for more than 60 years for an international top-class horse show, the "Grand Prix of Wiesbaden". It would not be the fun-loving people of Wiesbaden if they had left this tournament to sporting competition alone. It is like a folk festival with lots of gala and show around the tall noble-blooded four-legged friends and pony rides for the little ones.
Wiesbaden has another festival of horsepower to offer with the annual vintage car rally.
Cheers to the Rheingau wine and that for ten days every August in the immediate vicinity of the state parliament. Here, one of the longest wine counters in the world offers the opportunity to taste everything the world-famous vineyards have to offer, from wine taverns to fine wines, in cheerful conversation with friendly people. Every year, more than half a million people come to taste the wines at the more than 110 tasting stands.
In the cold season, the shooting star market invites you to enjoy mulled wine, punch and biscuits, and encourages you to buy Christmas decorations and small toys. Another highlight in the winter season is the Kurhaus Ice Age with its approx. 800 sqm ice rink, where mulled wine, Christmas treats, ice disco, themed evenings and much more invite you to linger. The year comes to a festively elegant close at the big New Year's Eve party in the Kurhaus. Around 3,000 guests and strollers celebrate the New Year there. The highlight is the New Year's Eve Gala Menu in the Great Hall, limited to 500 guests.
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Opelbad * Goldgasse * Reittunier am Biebricher Schloss * Neroberg * Sternschnuppenmarkt
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