Darmstadt, simply amazing.
City of Science and World heritage Site? Darmstadt is both. It combines spirit and research, artistic flair and innovative strength like no other city. Darmstadt still has the charm of a royal seat - and is both a city of modernity and an experimental field for culture in the midst of a research landscape.
The awakening began with the founding of the Artists' Colony on the Mathildenhöhe, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021, whose exhibitions enjoy a worldwide reputation and which link a document of the awakening to modern forms of building and living with the current art scene.
Before Darmstadt was given the title ‘City of Science’ in 1997, it was known as the ‘City of Arts’. In fact, cultural and scientific institutions work closely together, recognising that tradition and innovation pave the ‘Darmstadt way’ - for new things to be discovered in Darmstadt and the world.
Discover Darmstadt
Ihr Eintrag ins Digitale Schaufenster: Onlineformular
WebWeekend packages
Discover Darmstadt and spend a weekend in the City of Science and Culture. Visit the Mathildenhöhe, the Artists' Colony from 1901 to 1914, or the various museums as the Hessian State Museum or the Museum in the Residantial Palace.
Stroll through the Wilhelminenstraße in the city centre and enjoy the view of the Pantheon-like church St. Ludwig. Discover the small shops in Schulstraße and at the Stadtkirchplatz or the more than 450 shops, from internationally renowned brands to small, owner-run shops.
Offers of weekend packages: www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/en/visit/accomodations/packages
Special exhibition KAROLINE: "Karoline von Hessen Darmstadt - Nature and Science" - until 31.1.2025
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Special exhibition KAROLINE: "Karoline von Hessen Darmstadt - Nature and Science" - until 31.1.2025
March 30, 2024 marks the 250th anniversary of the death of the important personality Karoline von Hessen-Darmstadt (1721-1774), also known as the “Great Landgravine”. The MUSEUM Jagdschloss Kranichstein is honoring this historic event with an exhibition in cooperation with the Hessian State Archives in Darmstadt.
The exhibition provides a deep insight into the natural and environmental history of the 18th century through the multifaceted personality of the landgravine. Karoline left behind an impressive treasure trove of correspondence, which gives us an insight into her active participation in the scientific discourse of the Enlightenment, in which she acted as the “femme savante” of the Enlightenment. Her letters to personalities such as Frederick II of Prussia, Voltaire, Melchior Grimm and Empress Catherine II of Russia reveal a new sense of nature, which is also reflected in her unusual burial in the Herrngarten.
Karoline's lifelong friendship with King Frederick II of Prussia and her participation in the literary “Circle of the Sensitive” in Darmstadt, to which the young Goethe also belonged, shaped her intellectual world. Objects from renowned institutions such as the Kranichstein Hunting Lodge, the Hessian State Museum Darmstadt and the Darmstadt University and State Library are presented in the exhibition.
Interactive design elements, such as audio stations with original quotes from the landgravine's letters, bring to life the natural history perception of Karoline. The exhibition highlights the current relevance of topics such as the relationship with nature, the availability of nature and the changing understanding of nature.
Ladenflächen- und Quartiersmanagment - CityLab Darmstadt
The shop space and neighbourhood management (LQM) in the city centre is the central networking and interface between the city administration, tradespeople, public institutions, property owners and citizens.
The LQM moderates, networks and provides ideas, spaces and contacts for the city centre of tomorrow.
Bürozeiten
Montag 12.30 – 14.00 Uhr
Dienstag 15.00 – 16.30 Uhr
Mittwoch 9.30 – 11.00 Uhr
Contact for ideas: stadtpunkte@darmstadt.de
CityLab Darmstadt
Wilhelminenstraße 25
Christmas tree on the market square
The Christmas trees for the Darmstadt Christmas Market, which decorate the market square and Luisenplatz every year, traditionally come from the region. This year, both trees are Nordmann firs from Wald-Michelbach (Odenwald) and can no longer remain in their current locations.
Market square: approx. 18 m high Nordmann fir, weighing approx. 2.6 tonnes
Trees up to around 20 metres high are suitable for the market square and are always placed before the huts are erected after the pyramid has been set up. This year, the tree on the market square is around 18 metres tall and weighs 2.6 tonnes. Its roots had lifted the neighbouring pedestrian path at its previous location and therefore had to be felled.
The selection and installation of the Christmas trees has been a well-coordinated team effort for years. For around 20 years, the trees have been supplied by the family forestry business Marco and Norbert Emig (www.emig-agrar.de) from Wald-Michelbach/Kocherbach and then erected together with the help of the Darmstadt fire brigade.
Since last year, the tree on the market square has had new lighting consisting of 13,500 LEDs. The lights will be animated in different colours every hour from 6 pm.
4-3-2-1 Darmstadt - Exhibition Institute Matildenhöhe - until 27. April 2025
closed
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4-3-2-1 Darmstadt - Exhibition Institute Matildenhöhe - until 27. April 2025
The Institut Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt is celebrating the reopening of the extensively renovated exhibition building with a multifaceted special exhibition on the art topography of Darmstadt. Outstanding paintings, sculptures, graphics, photographs and video art from the Darmstadt Municipal Art Collection shed light on historical events in the city and present extraordinary people who have lived and worked here. A focus is placed on some works by female artists that have never been exhibited before and are waiting to be discovered.
The exhibition tour develops into a journey through 200 years of the art city of Darmstadt and its immediate region. A varied accompanying programme invites visitors to explore the city and its art with new eyes.
Darmstadt walking routes
Darmstadt's many green spaces, cycle paths and the surrounding forest belt offer great routes out into the countryside to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and spend a day in the countryside. But there are also walking routes within the city that stimulate the mind, convey the architecture and history of the city and have many cafés, parks and even a UNESCO World Heritage Site along the way!
The routes lead along streets, alleyways and country lanes, past rose beds, cows and stately buildings - Darmstadt is versatile and perfect for a voyage of discovery on foot!
ShopPlane tree wood pens
The writing utensils made of plane tree wood were created in collaboration with Thomas Hörold, an artisan from Bad-Soden. In the course of the renovation of the plane tree grove on Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt, some trees had to be felled, and now unique writing utensils - ballpoint pens, fountain pens and rollerballs - have been made from them.
Thomas Hörold, who has been an exhibitor at the Darmstadt Arts and Crafts market for many years, has already implemented this project with other cities and is now also giving the woods of the plane tree grove a second life. In the process, the structure and colour, but also one or two special features of the wood come to light. The individual pieces are available in the Darmstadt Shop at the Luisencenter, prices range from 49.00 to 149.00 euros.
pen, plane tree wood: 49.00 €
rollerball pen, plane tree wood: 129.00 €
fountain pen, plane tree wood: 149.00 €
Future History Tour "Darmstadt City"
Time travel through Darmstadt's city centre!
With "Future History" historical views of the city can be compared with today's. What has changed, what has remained the same?
Darmstadt was the capital and residence of the Hessian landgraves and grand dukes, capital of the Grand Duchy of Hesse until 1919, then capital of the People's State of Hesse until 1933 and the State of Hesse until 1945. Darmstadt lost its status to Wiesbaden, due to the severe war destruction.
In the reconstruction phase after 1945, the city concentrated on its importance as a city of science and culture. Today Darmstadt has over 160,000 inhabitants and a lively city centre with numerous sights, shopping streets, restaurants, parks and green spaces.
Via the Future History App (available in Google Play and in the AppStore) you can also be guided directly to the individual locations and fade in the historical views with AR (Augmented Reality).
Discover World Heritage: Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt and Messel Pit Fossil Site - with the Darmstadt Card
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Discover World Heritage: Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt and Messel Pit Fossil Site - with the Darmstadt Card
The Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt and the Wedding Tower on Mathildenhöhe as well as the Messel Pit Fossil Site are partners of the Darmstadt Card.
Individual visitors receive a discount with the Darmstadt Card when visiting the Museum Künstlerkolonie, the Wedding Tower and the Messel Pit Visitor Centre. The bus line "FM" connects the World Heritage Site "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt" with the World Heritage Site "Messel Pit Fossil Site" and can be used free of charge with the Darmstadt Card.
Tip:
The Darmstadt Card also includes free participation in a public city tour organised by Darmstadt Marketing GmbH, e.g. via the Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt. In addition, discounts on visits to the Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt, the Wedding Tower and "2 for 1" on visits to the Messel Pit Visitor Centre.
Mathildenhöhe Card
The "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt" World Heritage Site can be easily discovered with the Mathildenhöhe Card.
The Mathildenhöhe Card includes
- use of all public transport in the Darmstadt city area (fare zone 4000) as well as admission to the
- admission Exhibition Building with exhibition 4–3–2–1 DARMSTADT
- admission to the Darmstadt Artists' Colony Museum and
- admission to the Wedding Tower Darmstadt.
It is available as a 1-day ticket at a price of € 10.00 per person.
WebDA Instagram Point
The ‘DA Instagram Point’ is a new photo spot in Darmstadt.
The point fulfils two purposes at once: firstly, it serves as a beautiful photo motif for guests and Darmstadt residents who want to show that they are out and about in the city. Secondly, the Instagram point adds a green accent to the city centre. The letters are made of steel and offer enough space inside for plants and flowers, which are renewed according to the season. The perforated plate on the back allows the plants to entwine and leaves enough space to grow.
The Instagram point is also mobile, so the letters can be placed at various locations in Darmstadt, currently at the darmstadtium, at the start of the Erich-Ollenhauer-Promenade.
So it's worth keeping an eye out for the planted letters in the city centre - where will it find its place next? The locations will be published on www.darmstadt-tourismus.de and on the social media accounts Instagram (@visit.darmstadt) and Facebook (@Darmstadt Citymarketing e.V.).
Previous stations
- Friedensplatz
- darmstadtium / Erich-Ollenhauer-Promenade
- Mathildenhöhe
- Georg-Büchner-Platz
- Ernst-Ludwigs-Platz
The DA letters were manufactured by Seyda Schlosserei, Stahl und Metallbau from Darmstadt and planted by Gartenzentrale Appel from Darmstadt. The green space office is kindly taking over the conversion of the point.
Mulled wine glas 2024 - Langer Lui
"Glühwein", hot wine, spiced with e.g. cinnemon, cloves, star ansieed and cardamom, is traditional for all German Christmas Markets.
Every year the Darmstadt "Glühweinprinzessin" ("mulled wine princess / Glühwein Princess") presents the new motif of mulled wine glasses at the opening of the Darmstadt Christmas market. In addition, she is out and about at numerous appointments at the Christmas market and in town during the Advent season, accompanies St. Nicholas on his carriage ride on December 6th and is our ambassador for the Christmas Market.
The 2024 motif is the Long Ludwig on Luisenplatz, to mark the 180th anniversary of the Ludwig Monument:
o The Ludwig Monument - better known as the Long Ludwig - is Darmstadt's landmark alongside the Wedding Tower. It commemorates Grand Duke Ludewig I and the first constitution for the Grand Duchy of Hesse, which was passed under his rule in 1820.
o Construction time from 1840; ceremonial unveiling in August 1844.
o Total height: 39.15 metres, height of the viewing platform: 30.04 metres
o In the column, a spiral staircase with 172 steps leads up to the viewing platform
o From April to October, the Lange Lui is always open on the first Saturday of the month and on special occasions, such as the Heinerfest.
Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt - UNESCO World Heritage
The Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt is an ensemble of Wedding Tower, Exhibition Hall, Museum Artists' Colony, plane tree grove and artist houses. It was laid out as the garden of the grand ducal court as early as the 19th century and was one of the most important centres of modern art and architecture in Europe and the world for 14 years, from 1901 to 1914. Its inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 underscores its global importance as a pioneer of modernity. .
Darmstadt Card - public transport and cultural & leisure facilities
The Darmstadt Card is available as a one-and two-day ticket, it includes the use of all public transport in the city area (fare zone 40) and discounts to numerous cultural facilities.
The Darmstadt Card is valid for 1 day at the price of 6 € or for 2 days at the price of 9 €.
Public transport
Free use of public transport (bus and tram) in fare zone 40 (includes Darmstadt, Erzhausen, Messel, Roßdrof, Ober-Ramstadt, Modau, Nieder-Beerbach, Pfungstadt, Griesheim, Weiterstadt) for 1 person on one or two consecutive days.
Free admission
Kunsthalle Darmstadt
Price reduction
for tours and pedelec rentals from Darmstadt Marketing GmbH
Reduced Admission to cultural & leisure facilities
bioversum Kranichstein, Eisenbahnmuseum Darmstadt-Kranichstein, Großherzoglich-Hessische Porzellansammlung, Hessisches Landesmuseum Darmstadt, Hochzeitsturm, Literaturhaus Darmstadt (Hauptprogramm), MUSEUM Jagdschloss Kranichstein, Museum Künstlerkolonie Darmstadt, Schlossmuseum Darmstadt, Staatstheater Darmstadt (Repertoirevorstellungen), Bezirksbad Bessungen, DSW Freibad, Mühltalbad Eberstadt, Naturbad Großer Woog, Nordbad
Free of charge
info broschure at the Weißen Turm
Glühwein Princess 2024: Nina I.
"Glühwein", hot wine, spiced with e.g. cinnemon, cloves, star ansieed and cardamom, is traditional for all German Christmas Markets.
Every year the Darmstadt "Glühweinprinzessin" ("mulled wine princess / Glühwein Princess") presents the new motif of mulled wine glasses at the opening of the Darmstadt Christmas market. In addition, she is out and about at numerous appointments at the Christmas market and in town during the Advent season, accompanies St. Nicholas on his carriage ride on December 6th and is our ambassador for the Christmas Market.
Mulled wine princess 2024 is Nina Uhrich.
The pupil at Edith-Stein School was born in Alice Hospital and lives in the Heimstättensiedlung neighbourhood. ‘I grew up in Darmstadt and have been involved in all the festivities since I was a child,’ says Nina Uhrich. In her free time, she enjoys horse riding, dancing and riding her motorbike.
She applied for the job at the on-site appointment in the Luisencenter. When asked about her motives, she answers as an avowed Christmas market fan: ‘The Christmas season is a magical time magical time when I always wear a big smile - I would like to pass on this joy.
pass it on.’ For her, the Christmas market is her personal fairytale land.
Source: CityZeitung Darmstädter Echo, 26.11.2024 www.darmstadt-tourismus.de/fileadmin/Bilder/Veranstaltungen/Weihnachten/Gluehweinprinzessin/gluehweinprinzessin_nina_bericht-cityzeitung-da-echo-2024-11-26.png
Guided tours
Whether science, culture or life - there are tours in Darmstadt on all topics. "Darmstadt at a glance", "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt - UNESCO World Heritage" or a guided tour bei bike through the city, you decide which facet of Darmstadt you would like to get to know first.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
Free participation in a public guided tour of Darmstadt Marketing GmbH (except for ESA/EUMETSAT, Aurora DeMeehl and experience tours).
Accessibility:
Guided tours are offered for people with walking disabilities, visual impairments or hearing impairments. The guides are trained so that wheelchair users, for example, can take part in every tour.
Depending on the topic of the tour, the route may be accessible to wheelchair users without steps (e.g. the tour "Darmstadt at a glance"). Please contact us if you have any questions so that we can discuss the details and advise you on the most suitable tour.
Infopoint Mathildenhöhe
The "Infopoint Mathildenhöhe" is open on Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.
In addition to information on the World Heritage Site "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt", tickets for the guided tours of Mathildenhöhe and the "Mathildenhöhe Card" are also available here.
The Infopoint is located in the Large Glückert House, Alexandraweg 23.
Note: Access to the Large Glückert House is only possible via stairs.
Refill partner:
In all participating shops in Darmstadt you can have your drinking bottles filled with tap water free of charge.
Christmas tree on Ludwigsplatz
The Christmas trees for the Darmstadt Christmas Market traditionally come from the region.
A Nordmann fir from Wald-Michelbach (Odenwald), provided by Darmstadt Citymarketing e.V., adorns Ludwigsplatz.
The trees have been supplied by the family forestry business Marco and Norbert Emig (www.emig-agrar.de) from Wald-Michelbach/Kocherbach for around 20 years.
Photo: Tree directly after installation
Christmas tree on Luisenplatz
The Christmas trees for the Darmstadt Christmas Market, which decorate the market square and Luisenplatz every year, traditionally come from the region. This year, both trees are Nordmann firs from Wald-Michelbach (Odenwald) and can no longer remain in their current locations.
Luisenplatz: approx. 15 m tall Nordmann fir, weighing approx. 3.8 tonnes
On Luisenplatz, the height of the tree is limited by the tram overhead and putting it up is always something of a challenge. As a combination to the illuminated Long Ludwig, the aim every year is to find a tree with a good height, beautiful growth and dense branches to beautify the entrance to the city centre and the Darmstadt Christmas Market.
This year, the tree on Luisenplatz is a speciality. It has already been pruned once due to its vigorous growth and had formed several shoots as a result. However, its strong growth, not only in height but also in width, made it too large for its previous location.
With a weight of 3.8 tonnes and a height of approx. 15 metres, it has a considerable weight and the various shoots not only give the tree a very special character, but also a multiple top. Over the next few days, the tree will be decorated with baubles and wooden stars by the Darmstädter Schaustellerverband e.V. and the top will be decorated to create a beautiful Christmas tree.
The selection and erection of the Christmas trees has been a well-organised team effort for years. For around 20 years, the trees have been supplied by the family forestry business Marco and Norbert Emig (www.emig-agrar.de) from Wald-Michelbach/Kocherbach and then put up together with the help of the Darmstadt fire brigade. This year in particular, it was a challenge for everyone involved, which they mastered with flying colours.
Over the next few days, the tree on Luisenplatz will once again be decorated with wooden stars and red baubles by the Darmstädter Schaustellerverband e.V.
2nd picture: 2nd crane truck of the Darmstadt fire brigade
Darmstadt Christmas Market 2024 - 18. November to 23. December
18. November to 23. Dezember 2024
Darmstadt Christmas Market
When strolling through Darmstadt's Christmas market, the smell of gingerbread and mulled wine, handicrafts and the adventurous atmosphere will put you in the Christmas mood.
The Christmas market takes place on Marktplatz, Friedensplatz, Ludwigsplatz and Luisenplatz in Darmstadt's city centre.
Culinary and handicraft specialities invite you to pre-Christmas hustle and bustle at Darmstadt's Christmas market. The adventually decorated city centre and the Christmas trees on Marktplatz, Luisenplatz and Ludwigsplatz create a Christmas atmosphere.
Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday: from 11 am to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday: from 11 am to 10 pm
Sunday: from 12 am to 9 pm
The Christmas Market will be closed on Totensonntag (24.11.).
Women's history - exhibition at the Schlossmuseum - until 23 February 2025
closed
+++ Information +++
Women's history - exhibition at the Schlossmuseum - until 23 February 2025
Anniversary exhibition | 8 Nov. 2024 to 23 Feb. 2025
Women's history(ies)
Darmstadt princesses and their time
Street signs, squares and hospitals such as Wilhelminenstraße, Carolinenplatz and Alicehospital bear their names. But who were these princesses, whose multifaceted work is still far too rarely honoured today?
Whether regent, style icon or supporter of the emerging women's movement - the anniversary exhibition to mark the 100th anniversary of the Schlossmuseum is about the exciting lives of admirable, strong women from four centuries.
Partner of the DARMSTADT CARD:
reduced admission
Darmstadt WiFi
With the Darmstadt WiFi users in the city centre have unlimited use of the urban WLAN network. Just select „WiFi Darmstadt“ in your wifi settings and log on at www.service.thecloud.eu.
Here you can use the "WiFi Darmstadt":
Darmstadt city centre
- Luisenplatz
- Wilhelminenstraße
- City Carree
- Ernst-Ludwigs-Platz
- Friedensplatz
- Marktplatz
- Ludwigsplatz
- Stadtkirchplatz
- Schlossgraben
- Karolinenplatz
- BIZ (Bürgerinformationszentrum) (Indoor)
- Darmstadt Shop Luisenplatz (Indoor)
Staatstheater Darmstadt
- in the Staatstheater and
- outdoor on the Georg-Büchner-Platz
City districts Darmstadt
- Arheilgen: Löwenplatz
- Eberstadt: stop Wagenhalle
- Kranichstein: stop Gruberstr./Brentanoanlage
- Wixhausen: Bahnhofstr./Falltorstr.
Griesheim
Wilhelm-Leuchner-Str.: stops Wagenhalle to Platz Bar-Le-Duc
Cooperation HEAG Mobilo
- in front of the main station "Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof"
- Arheilgen stop Dreieichweg
- Kranichstein stop Bahnhof
- Griesheim stop Bar-Le-Duc
Cooperation TU Darmstadt/eduroam
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt, ULB Darmstadt
- ULB Stadtmitte
- ULB Lichtwiese
- stop Botanischer Garten
Cooperation with the Modehaus Henschel at the market square
Shopping with the Darmstadt Gutschein
The vouchers worth 10, 25, 50 or 100 euros can be purchased online and in the Darmstadt shop and redeemed in all participating shops.
Further information at www.darmstadtgutschein.de.
Fotospot: Engelsflügel
The illuminated angel wings on Friedensplatz and in Wilhelminenstraße in front of the CityLab are the perfect photo spot at Christmas time.
Large pair of wings:
Friedensplatz location, at the INTeF (Institute for New Technical Form)
Small pair of wings:
Location Wilhelminenstraße 25, in front of the CityLab
Illumination of the wings from 4 pm.
We are looking forward to many great photos, tag us with @visit.darmstadt on Instagram and we will share your best pictures.
Contact
Darmstadt Shop Luisencenter
Luisenplatz 5
64283 Darmstadt
Tel.: +49 6151 - 1345-13
Fax: +49 6151 - 1347-5858
information@
darmstadt.de
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 10 am to 6 pm
infopoint Mathildenhöhe
Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 5 pm
(The Infopoint is located on the Mathildenhöhe in Olbrichweg, on the north side of the exhibition building (rear), between the Wedding Tower and the Darmstadt h_da University of Applied Sciences.)
World Heritage "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt"
The "Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt" has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since July 2021. For more information on Mathildenhöhe and how to get there, click here.
