Wiesbaden Travel Guide

Wiesbaden

a travel guide

Christine Jackson

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Wiesbaden

a travel guide

Christine Jackson

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About the City

3 Geography
5 History

Attractions and
Things to Do

9 Marktkirche
11 Kurhaus
13 Kurpark
15 St. Elizabeth’s
17 Holocaust Memorial
19 Neroberg
21 Goldgasses
23 Wilhemstrasse Fest

Recommendations

27 Ratskeller
29 Webers Wikinger
31 Brauhaus Castel
33 Hotel Nassauer Hof
35 Radisson Blue Schwarzer Bock Hotel

Tucked in a lovely valley between the
Rhine River and the Taunus Moun-
tains, Hesse’s capital of Wiesbaden
has long been an important spa city,
dating back to Roman times when
it was called Aquae Mattiacorum.
In the 19th century, Wiesbaden also
became a popular gambling center.

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Geography

Wiesbaden is the beautiful capital city of the state of Hesse in southern
Germany. It is situated on the east bank of the Rhine River at the southern
foot of the Taunus Mountains which trend in a northeasterly direction, west of
Frankfurt am Main and north of Mainz. The city, together with nearby Frankfurt
am Main, Darmstadt and Mainz, is part of the Frankfurt Rhine Main Region, a
metropolitan area with a combined population of about 5.8 million people.
Wiesbaden is north of the confluence of the Main, where the Rhine’s main
direction changes from north to west. The city is across the Rhine from Mainz,
the capital of the federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate. Frankfurt am Main is
located about 23.6 miles east.

Wiesbaden

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The State Capital of
Hessen is a manifold
city which should be
discovered.

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Thermal fountains that
are pumping up hot
sulfurous water

History William II influenced the architectural design of the cultural
centers such as the Hessian State Theater and the “new”
Wiesbaden’s special attraction was discovered as early Kurhaus, both of which were constructed during his reign.
as 2000 years ago, when the Romans found springs that He solemnly declared his favorite summer residence to be a
carried hot thermal water to the surface. They found the “world spa city.”
effects of the waters to be miraculous for themselves and
their horses and set up the first bath houses. The couriers World-renowned poets, thinkers and musicians
of the Roman Pliny bore the news of their sensational
discovery from Germania across the Alps to Italy. laid the foundations for the cultural life of the city.

The site where the springs were found became the Impressive architecture, elegant villas, exten-
Roman fort “Aquae Mattiacorum.” After the Roman defeat
by the Teutons in 407 A.D., the “Wisibada” of the Germanic sive green spaces and parks as well as generous
tribes became popular as a trading post along the Rhine.
Between 1200 and 1243 the Dukes of Nassau set up a boulevards document the urban development that
number of castles and fortresses, remains of which can
still be viewed in the suburbs of Wiesbaden. The Nassau occurred during the Wilhelminian Era.
rulers also helped this settlement to flourish, and numerous Wiesbaden emerged from both world wars almost
bathhouses and inns ensured a lively business with visitors
seeking to restore their health. In 1866 the new Prussian unscathed. The magnificent buildings have been preserved
rulers supported the development of the city and Emperor for the most part and bear witness to a famous and brilliant
past. The city has been the state capital of Hesse since 1946;
it is a city with an individual character and profile and has an
attractive historic district.

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Wiesbaden is a green city in the
heart of the Rhine-Main-region, and
an economic, cultural and social cen-
ter. Young and old are at home there,
as are families, couples and singles.
Wiesbaden attracts with a great
variety of leisure time activities, and
provides a perfect setting for making
the city a home base for life. Modern
urban development, protection of the
environment, and the preservation of
nature and health services are further
strengths of this city.

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Opening Hours
Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays from November to
April from noon to 4 p.m.,
from May to October from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as
by arrangement.

Marktkirche You cannot miss this
church, it towers
The quarry stone masonry is covered with brick; the above everything
architectural sculpture is made of fired clay brick. in Wiesbaden. The
The main tower is 98 metres high and is the tallest outside is interesting to
structure in Wiesbaden. The total outer length of the look at but make sure
church is about 60 metres. The Market Church has you go inside!
kept most of its original design. In 1900, the ornamen-
tal painting in dark, pastose colors lace the original pale
colors of the interior.

After repairing the slight damage caused during
World War II, the church was reconstructed in 1949.
The stained glass of the three middle choir windows
was created on the occasion of the further restoration
of the church. Today’s colors in the interior come from
1963-64 and are based on the original pale greyish red
hue of the walls and the vault, which is only interrupted
by the white of the capitals and ornaments.

inside the church

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Kurhaus

The Wiesbaden Kurhaus in an unprecedented center for national and
international congresses, convention conferences, exhibitions, presenta-
tions, workshops, seminars and cultural events. Updated technology, a
wide range of halls and rooms, full organizational and catering service —
these are the foundations of a successful synthesis of historically unique
facilities in an ideal location and with optimal infrastructure.

Next to excellent restaurants with a special flair to enjoy, the
visitor may want to relax in quiet places, especially in the nearby
Kurpark with its large pond and magnificent old trees. Nighttime
entertainment might include going to a concert or to the theater,
to fashionable bars, sociable wine-drinking places or snug pubs, should
you be fond of company. Perhaps you’d rather try your luck at the Wies-
baden Casino? All of this is within walking distance of just a few minutes.

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The Wiesbaden Kurhaus, landmark of an elegant city, is surrounded
by a lot of green, and splendid historical buildings. Twelve rooms and
parlors of varying size and style, several restaurants and the casino are all
assembled under one roof, adjacent to the theater colonnades with the
state theater of Hesse built in the baroque style. The colonnades opposite
running over 129 meters, are the longest columned hall in Europe
providing additional space for further events, special fairs, and exhibitions.

The Wiesbaden Kurhaus, a site of marvellous historical
architecture combined with up to date conveniences is an
experience by itself, a successful synthesis, a harmonious
blend of beauty, functionalism, and recreation facilities.

Friedrich von Thiersch Hall in the south wing

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A gorgeous park in the city center
around the theatre. I would imagine
this is an oasis for locals and tourists
all year round and a nice place to go
for a walk.

Different areas of the
beautiful park

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Kurpark

The Kurpark, which begins immediately behind the Kurhaus, was designed in
1852 in the style of an English landscape garden. Kurpark is German for spa park.
The garden’s foliage includes magnolias, azaleas, rhododendrons, and swamp
cypresses. The pond, where visitors can rent boats, features an
island and an impressive six meter tall fountain. Visitors to the “Nizza
Plätzchen”, a small garden adjacent to the Kurhaus, can see a few columns of
the original Kurhaus taken down to make way for the new building completed
in 1907. For several years, the 75,000 square metre park has also hosted rock
and pop concerts. And in the summer of 2005 more than 10,000 visitors came
here to greet the Dalai Lama.

Parking
Contipark is an
underground parking
deck underneath the
Kurhaus. Visitors can
expect a consistently
open car park with 500
comfortable parking
spaces with high safety
standards and direct
access to the Kurhaus
and Kurpark.

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St. Elizabeth

Wiesbaden’s only Russian Orthodox church is located on Neroberg and is called the Greek Chapel
by local residents. Duke Adolph von Nassau had the church built between 1849 and 1855 to house
the funerary monument of his wife, the Russian Princess Elisabeth Michailowna and Grand Duchess
of Russia and Duchess of Nassau, who died while giving birth. The church serves the Russian
community in Wiesbaden today as their parish church. Behind the rectory lies the Russian cemetery
in which there are numerous graves of dukes and princes from the 19th century.

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Opening Hours
Saturdays, Sundays and
holidays from November
to April from noon to 4 p.m.,
from May to October from
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., as well as
by arrangement

View of the St. Elizabeth in The five fiery gilt
the distance and details of domes made me flock
the architecture. to it from afar. I didn’t
stop walking until I
found a way to it. It’s
gorgeous from afar
and up close. If you
are properly dressed,
please go inside to view
the architecture.

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Holocaust
Memorial

The site of Wiesbaden’s largest pre-war synagogue, built in 1869 and destroyed
in 1938, is marked by a memorial that includes an outline of the structure (in
dark paving stones on the footpaths and street) and historic photos and bio-
graphical information on 1,507 Wiesbaden Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

The walls of the
memorial carved with

1,507 names
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Its easy to walk past, but harder
to stop and read what’s written on
this moving monument. A few walls,
traversed by a road in between,
but this is where one of the largest
and most important synagogues in
Germany stood.

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Train beginning journey
up the hill with some
passengers and views
from the carriage

Operating Hours
It operates from April until
October and transports its
passengers up and down every
15 minutes.
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Neroberg

A ride up the hill with the Neroberg Mountain Train is like a journey into the past. Since the year 1888
the carriages have moved up and down the Neroberg Mountain 7.3 kilometers per hour. It takes 3.5
minutes to reach the station on top of the 245 metres high Wiesbaden hillside estate.

The ingenious technique still enthuses the passengers today, as it had done
in the former times. The down hill carriage is filled with up to 7,000 liters of water and pulls the
second carriage uphill by means of a 452 meters long steel cable during its downward descent. When
the downhill carriage arrives at the bottom, the water is let off and pumped uphill once again. The
speed is regulated by the downhill driver. The railway is secured by pinions under the carriage that
latch into a toothed rack fastened to the rails.

Located within the city’s precincts, Neroberg, Wiesbaden’s own hillside estate, is one of the
city’s most popular leisure-time destinations. The 245 meter high hill offers many rest and
recreational options for example a visit to the Russian Church, a walk on the Neroberg Nature Trail
and of course an excellent view of the city of Wiesbaden.

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Goldgasses

The Goldgasse offers a wide variety of places to eat. The choice between
the tapas bars, cafés and bistros, good old-fashioned restaurants, rusti-
cally comfortable wine bars, and Italian pizza parlours is not easy. Many
goldsmiths have located their studios in the “Schiffchen” where they offer
customers a view of their mostly filigree art and are happy to fulfil individ-
ual requests. Wiesbaden’s historical district is known as the “Schiffchen”
(little ship) because it has the form of a ship’s bow, bordered by Graben-
strasse and Wagemannstrasse. The senses are especially spoiled
in the historical district: excellent wines, the finest olive oils,
and an exhilarating variety of spices make it impossible to
simply pass by and not enter one of the shops.

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Restaurants lining both
sides of Goldgasse

Helpful Tip
Most stores and restaurants
have either shorter hours or
are closed on Sundays.

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Amusing rides and
entertaining parades
at the festival

Wilhelmstraßenfest

The “Wilhelmstraßenfest”, as it is called in the vernacular, is one of the oldest street festivals in Ger-
many and celebrated in the month of June. It takes place around the Hessian state theater, on
the Bowling Green, the Warmer Damm, Burgstraße and, needless to say, on Wilhelmstraße. Visitors
were entertained with a great variety of stage acts, delicious cuisine, and the classic
handcraft market with over 140 exhibitors where unique jewelry and pottery as well as unusual
accessories are presented. A total of 120 food stands offer a wide range of food to suit every taste.

Helpful Tip
ß in English makes a
“sharp S” sound and is
interchangeable with
“ss” when written.
Therefore, Wilhem-
straße could be written
Wilhemstrasse.
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The occasion of the first festival, originally called “Theatrium,” in 1977 was the re-opening of the
newly renovated state theater. Nowadays, during the two-day festival several ten thousand visitors
enjoy street performers, bands of several styles as well as a rich variety of national and international
culinary pleasures. The former theatre festival has developed into a classical street festival for the
senses, where happiness and vitality play a dominant role. Another attraction is a colorful artisans
market in front of the Kurhaus with its original and individual range of offers.

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Hessen’s state capital lies in the
heart of Germany and in the center
of Europe. All travel routes cross
here. Wiesbaden is easy to reach by
whatever means, be it by road, by rail
or by plane.

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Lovely atmosphere with great schnitzel and excellent
service. Located in the cellar of the city hall in center
of downtown. The service is first rate and everyone
there is having a great time. Well worth a visit!

Hours
Ratskeller is open from
Monday to Saturday
from 11 am to 12 pm,
on Sundays and
holidays until 11 pm.
They accept credit
cards: Mastercard, VISA,
American Express.
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Ratskeller

Average Prices: six to thirty euro
Cuisine: German, Central European, brew pub
Meals: lunch, dinner, late night drinks
Restaurant Features: reservations, outdoor seating,
highchairs available, serves alcohol
Good for: families, local cuisine, children, large groups

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Hours
Sunday 4:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Monday Closed
Tuesday-Friday 11:30 am - 3:00 pm
4:30 pm - 11:00 pm
Saturday 11:30 am - 11:00 pm

We be r s
Wikinger

Average Prices: five to twenty five euro
Cuisine: German, Central European, vegetarian friendly
Meals: lunch, dinner, late night
Restaurant Features: reservations, outdoor seating, serves alcohol,
highchairs available
Good for: large groups, special occasions, romantic, business meetings,
families with children

The food at this restaurant is excellent! I highly recommend the
steak on a the hot stone. You are able to dine inside or outside.
The service is good and they accept reservations, for larger
parties this would be recommended especially on the week-
ends. There is a menu selection for all tastes.

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I was extremely impressed and definitely recommend this
diner. Love the traditional German fare offered here. Very
tasty beer is brewed in-house. The atmosphere was warm and
inviting. Truthfully, there’s not one issue to complain about!

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Brauhaus Castel

Average Prices: five to twenty five euro
Cuisine: German, brew pub, Central European
Meals: lunch, dinner
Restaurant Features: takeout, outdoor seating, buffet, free off-street parking,
highchairs available, serves alcohol, accepts mastercard and visa, reservations,
wheelchair accessible
Good for: families with children, large groups

Hours
Sunday 10:00 am - 11:00 pm
Monday - Saturay
11:00 am - 12:00 am

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Hotel
Nassauer
Hof

A classic hotel located in the Rhine-Main region — is a true gem of the
German luxury hotel sector. Set right in the heart of Wiesbaden opposite
the magnificent Wiesbaden Kurhaus, the hotel is a favoured place to stay
for visitors from all over the world as well as a very prestigious home from
home for many of the residents of Wiesbaden. “Much more than just a
home from home” has been the Nassauer Hof motto ever since 1819.

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Amenities: pool, fitness center, restaurant,
bar/lounge, spa
Room Types: suites, non
smoking rooms
Price Range: $222 - $345 (based on
average rates for a standard room)

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Amenities: Pool, Fitness Center, Restaurant, Bar/Lounge, Spa, Free Wifi, Pet Friendly
Room Types: Suites, Non-smoking and Smoking Rooms, Kitchenette
Price Range: $106 - $209 (Based on Average Rates for a Standard Room)

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Radisson Blu
Schwarzer Bock

The Radisson Blu Schwarzer Bock Hotel in Wiesbaden, the oldest grand hotel in Europe and home to a
historic bathhouse and spa. The hotel boasts an eventful history going back to 1486. The Radisson Blu
Schwarzer Bock Hotel is located in the center of Wiesbaden. Its excellent location on Kranzplatz square
allows the guest to explore the city by foot. Saunter along Wilhelmstrasse, Wiesbaden’s magnificent boule-
vard, or visit numerous attractions which are all just a stone’s throw away.

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You can count on Christine Jackson to tell you what you really need to
know when traveling in Wiesbaden!

With the highlighted attractions in this book, you'll explore the historic
Marktkirche, bustling Goldgasse, and the beautiful Kurhaus. Investigate
Wiesbaden's history and learn why the Roman called it a “spa city.”
End a great day at a neighborhood restaurant, with traditional food,
and a chat with a friendly local.

Christine's candid advice will guide you to good-value hotels and
restaurants in delightful Wiesbaden areas. You'll learn which sights are
worth your time and money. More than just reviews and directions, a
Christine Jackson guidebook is a tour guide in your pocket!

39 www.thissmallworld.com $9.99