'''Darmstadt''' [http://www.darmstadt.de] is a city in Hesse, Germany, located a little south of Frankfurt.

Understand

Prior to World War II, Darmstadt was the capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse. The Grand Dukes used to live in what is now the Schlos Marktplatz. It is also the birth place of the last Empress of Russia, Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna Romanov, who was born ''Prinzessin Victoria Alix Helena Louise Beatrice von Hessen und bei Rhein''. Sadly, much of the old city was destroyed in carpet bombing by the Allies during World War II, and most of what is still standing was reconstructed after the war. Darmstadt also lost its status as the capital of Hesse after the war, the honour now lying with the nearby city of Wiesbaden.

The popular recreational drug [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MDMA Ecstasy] was first synthesised in Darmstadt in 1912 by a chemist known as Anton Kollisch while he was working for the pharmaceutical company Merck.

The '''ProRegio Darmstadt''' [http://www.proregio-darmstadt.de] tourist office is located at Im Carree 4a, on the second floor.

Explore a 360__ virtual tour of [http://www.mheitmann.ch/pano/darmstadt/hessen.html Darmstadt]

Get in

By train

Trains [http://bahn.de] connect Darmstadt to surrounding cities, including Frankfurt, Heidelberg, and Mainz. Some ICE trains stop at the Darmstadt train station. Darmstadt can be reached by S-Bahn from Frankfurt.

By air

Darmstadt is located about 20 minutes by road from Frankfurt Airport. For those continuing their journey to Darmstadt by public transport, the Darmstadt Airport Shuttle bus service (AirLiner) is far more convenient than the train. It runs every 30 to 60 minutes between 4 a.m. and 11 p.m. and costs ?7.10/?5.65 for adults/children. More information can be found on the Darmstadt local transport website [http://www.heagmobibus.de/download/pdf/Airliner2008.pdf].

By car

The freeways A5 and A67 go by to the eastern end of Darmstadt.

Get around

The "HEAG" operates a network of trams and buses which are cheap, reliable, mostly punctual, and allow you to get almost everywhere. Schedules can be found here [http://www.rmv.de/] or here [http://www.heagmobilo.de/]

See

  • Darmstadt is famous for its Jugendstil (art nouveau) buildings. Many of the buildings survived the massive destruction of Darmstadt in September 1944. Visit the '''Kunstlerkolonie''' Mathildenhohe, to see the most interesting ones. This is the most beautiful part of Darmstadt. There is also a small park and an art museum there [http://www.mathildenhoehe.info/]. Here is another link with information in English [http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/mathildenhoehe/index.html].
  • Darmstadt's landmark is the '''Langer Ludwig''', a statue on a huge sandstone column located right in the city center. When you visit Darmstadt, you can't miss it. On the first Saturday of every month (and during special events) it is open for the public, meaning that you can climb the column (through a stair located on the inside) and get a beautiful view over Darmstadt.
  • The huge Hundertwasser house called "'''Waldspirale'''" ("Forest Spiral") right|thumb was finished in 2000. It is a wonderful example for Friedensreich Hundertwasser's (the famous Austrian architect and painter) colourful architectural designs. You can see some pictures here [http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/hundertwasser/index.html].
  • The original '''Castle Frankenstein''' [http://www.burg-frankenstein.de/] right|thumb is located near Darmstadt in Muhltal. Here is another link with information in English [http://www.darmstadt.de/en/sights/frankenstein/index.html]. The Castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948, and initial construction of the Castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and 15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. It was owned by the Barons von Frankenstein who owned most of the surrounding land until 1662 in which the Baron of that time sold the property to the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt. A story about the castle served as the inspiration for the Mary Shelley novel, Frankenstein, after she visited the castle in 1814.
  • A nice baroque garden is the '''Orangerie''' [http://www.orangerie-darmstadt.de/]. right|thumb The garden with several fountains is located in the south of Darmstadt in the heart of Bessungen. In the summer people are playing boule or just relaxing in the grass. To get there take the tram number 3 and exit at the station Orangerie.
  • Do

    Festivals and regular events

  • '''Heinerfest''', [http://www.darmstaedterheinerfest.de/]. Held once a year at the end of June/beginning of July. The Festival occupies the whole inner city for 4?5 days. It is the largest "Inner City Festival" of Germany.
  • '''Schlosgrabenfest''', [http://www.schlossgrabenfest.de/]. An annual music festival (usually in May) in the city center. Free entry.
  • '''Fruhstuckstreff Darmstadt''', [http://www.fruehstueckstreff-darmstadt/]. A monthly breakfast club meeting. Free entry.
  • Nightlife

  • '''Stella''', Rheinstrase 40-42, Tel: 0 61 51-30 82 750, [http://www.dasstella.de/]. Nightclub and Lounge, crowd is mainly in its twenties, house music.
  • '''Schlosskeller''', [http://www.asta.tu-darmstadt.de/schlosskeller/]. Non-profit bar and disco run by university students in the dungeons of the Darmstadt Castle.
  • '''Centralstation''', [http://www.centralstation-darmstadt.de/]. Concert hall, lounge and restaurant. Has many events going on.
  • '''Level 6''', [http://www.level-sechs.de/]. (Kasinostr. 60) Cocktail Lounge and Web Lounge und '''K-60''', [http://www.k-60.de/]. Billiard, Snooker, Darts, Fussball, Air Hockey. A bistro with 3 TVs and a projector for sports events
  • partyamt.de [http://www.partyamt.de/] - The well known and best updated website for all events in darmstadt tells you all about the best partyspots, concerts and what else to do.
  • Buy

    Clothing

  • '''Boathouse''' (designer clothes, Hugelstrase 71)
  • Eat

  • '''City Braustub'l''' [http://www.city-braustuebl.de], Wilhelminenstrase 31. Local food and beer, steaks; country style interieur and a small, cosy beer garden in summer.
  • '''Mondo Deli''' [http://www.mondo-deli.de], City Center, Grafenstrase 31. Good vegetarian food: indian curries, pasta, soups, salads; selfservice style, menue changes every day, international travellers welcome.
  • '''Asia''' [http://www.asia-da.de], old chinese restaurant in Darmstadt, Kasinostrasse 69. Tel (06151) 29 17 46. (Since 1974); good sushi: Sushi-Flatrate served as runnning sushi, delicious chinese restaurant HotPot, Steamboat (3Pers. up) and much more classical chinese dishes. Accept Visa, Amexco, Diners, Master-Cards.
  • '''Oseki''', Neckarstrase 20; good sushi: all you can eat, served on a running sushi belt, plus buffet of asian food, reasonably priced (lunch 8,90?, dinner 16,90?).
  • '''Mama Mia''', Rungenweg, [0] 6151 / 2698
  • '''Havana''', Leisberg, [0] 6151 / 4862
  • '''Luna Rossa''', Muhlbauerstr., [0] 6151 / 2960
  • '''Zum Goldenen Anker''', Nymphenburgerstr., [0] 6151 / 14850
  • '''Korfu''', Holzstrasse , [0] 6151 / 16481
  • '''Il Borgo''', Aberlestrase , [0] 6151 / 21982
  • '''Gyros''', Alter markt, [0] 6151 / 26850
  • '''Hong Kong Bar''', Breisacherstr. , [0] 6151 / 13205
  • '''Weisses Brauhaus''', Stollbergstr. , [0] 6151 / 7590
  • '''Shiva''', Muhlbauerstr., [0] 6151 / 24807
  • '''Maredo''', Kaulbachstrasse , [0] 6151 / 23241
  • '''Riva''', Kumlbacher Str., [0] 6151 / 5449
  • Drink

    Darmstadt has several breweries, as well as a large amount of smaller taverns.

  • '''Grohe Brauerei''', Nieder-Ramstadter-Str.3, Tel: 06151/425255 Fax: 06151/716644, [http://www.grohe-gastro.de]. A smaller traditional brewery. It has its own tavern, where you can drink the freshly brewed beer, and eat typical local foods. It is located in the Nieder-Ramstadter-Strase 3, and can easily be reached by tram or by foot from the city center. The beer is also available for sale in bottels or barrels. Many locals believe that this is the best beer available in Darmstadt.
  • '''Ratskeller'''. A tavern located in the city center, at the market place, brew their own beer, which is also very tasty. The tavern is located in the cellar vault of an older building and has a nice, traditional atmosphere.
  • '''Rummel Brauerei'''. The largest in Darmstadt, brews the "Darmstadter" ''Bier'', which is available in many restaurants and taverns in Darmstadt.
  • Hesse's national drink, apple cider (''Apfelwein'', or, in the local dialect, "''Abbelwoi''"), is very popular here too. It is available in pure form, or blended with soda water ("''sauer gespritzt''") or lemonade ("''sus gespritzt''"). Foreigners not used to the unusual taste (it is much more sour and less sweet than the cider common in other countries) might want to try the version blended with lemonade first.

    Sleep

  • '''Maritim Hotels''' -These two hotels are the best in Darmstadt.
  • :*'''Konferenzhotel Darmstadt/Frankfurt''', Rheinstrase 105, Tel: +49 (0) 6151 878-0, Fax: +49 (0) 6151 878-2169, [http://www.maritim.de/typo3/english/hotels/hotels/konferenzhotel-darmstadt.html]. :*'''Rhein-Main Hotel Darmstadt/Frankfurt''', Am Kavalleriesand 6, Tel: +49 (0) 6151 303-0, Fax: +49 (0) 6151 303-111, [http://www.maritim.de/typo3/english/hotels/hotels/rhein-main-hotel-darmstadt.html]. Other hotel options include:
  • '''Welcome Hotel Darmstadt''', Karolinenplatz 4, Tel: (+49)6151-3914-0, Fax: (+49)6151-3914-444, [http://www.welcome-hotels.com/en/welcomehotel_darmstadt].
  • '''IBIS Hotel''', Kasinostrasse 6, Tel: (+49)6151/39700, Fax: (+49)6151/3970123, [http://www.ibishotel.com/ibis/fichehotel/gb/ibi/3287/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • '''ETAP Hotel''', Kasinostrasse 4-6, Tel: (+49) 06151 397 37 20, [http://www.etaphotel.com/etaphotel/fichehotel/gb/etp/3526/fiche_hotel.shtml].
  • '''Hotel Contel''', Otto-Rohm-Strase 90, Tel: 06151/8820, Fax: 06151/882888, [http://www.contel-darmstadt.de/].
  • '''Parkhaus Hotel''', Grafenstrase 31, Tel: +49 (0) 6151-28100, fax: +49 (0) 6151-293908, [http://www.parkhaus-hotel.bestwestern.de/].
  • '''An der Mathildenhohe''', Spessartring 53, Tel: 06151/4984-0, Fax: 06151/4984-50, [http://www.hotel-mathildenhoehe.de/].
  • '''Hotel Jagdschlos Kranichstein''', Kranichsteiner Strase 261, Tel: 06151-97790, [http://www.hotel-jagdschloss-kranichstein.de/].
  • '''Add on Hotel Weinmichel''', Schleiermacherstr.10-12, Tel: +49 6151 13064-0, Fax: +49 6151 13064-250, [http://www.addon-weinmichel.de].
  • '''Hotel Bockshaut''', Kirchstr. 7-9, Tel. +49 6151 878-0, Fax: +49 6151 9967-67, [http://www.bockshaut.de]
  • '''Prinz Heinrich''', Bleichstrase 48, Tel: +49 6151 8137-0, Fax: +49 6151 8137-13, [http://www.hotel-prinz-heinrich.de/darmstadt]
  • '''Youth Hostel (Deutsche Jugendherberge)''', Landgraf-Georg-Str. 119, Tel: +49 6151 45293, Fax: +49 6151 422535, E-Mail: darmstadt@djh-hessen.de, [http://www.jugendherberge.de/de/jugendherbergen/visitenkarte/jh.jsp?IDJH=476]
  • '''Appartments Duval''', Haupstr, [0] 6151 / 22028
  • '''Villa Oriental''', Kumlbacher Str., [0] 6151 / 15398
  • '''Manhatten''', Kaulbachstrasse , [0] 6151 / 22313
  • '''Hotel Obergasse''', Breisacherstr. , [0] 6151 / 26897
  • '''Hotel Monopol''', Rungenweg, [0] 6151 / 30744
  • '''Crown Hotel''', Haupstr, [0] 6151 / 16995
  • '''Hotel tourist''', Aberlestrase , [0] 6151 / 15769
  • '''Concord''', Nymphenburgerstr., [0] 6151 / 11487
  • Get out

    The UNESCO World Heritage Site of Messel Pit Fossil Site [http://www.grube-messel.de/] is located a few kilometers outside Darmstadt. UNESCO states that "Messel Pit is the richest site in the world for understanding the living environment of the Eocene, between 57 million and 36 million years ago. In particular, it provides unique information about the early stages of the evolution of mammals and includes exceptionally well-preserved mammal fossils, ranging from fully articulated skeletons to the contents of stomachs of animals of this period." Messel has a small railway station on the Darmstadt ? Aschaffenburg line. From the station it is about a 20-minute walk (there is no bus) out of town to the south. There is a small cycling sign pointing in the right direction. A path runs next to the road through the forest, and there is a large sign at the turn off from the road. The Site is open from the start of April to the end of October. See the website [http://www.grube-messel.de/] for full details (German only).

    Worms, Weinheim, Heidelberg, Frankfurt and Mainz can all be reached in a day trip from Darmstadt.