about Darmstadt
Darmstadt
The city of Darmstadt is a German destination in the Hesse region. It's situated in the southern part of the Rhine Main Metropolitan Area, and is not close to a river or coast. In spite of this fact, Darmstadt has a lot to offer in term of sightseeing, attractions and relaxation.
Founded in 1330 by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen, the settlement is said to have been established as early as the 11th Century. Darmstadt used to be the seat of the former Landgraves of Hessen Darmstadt, while in the 20th Century its main economic branches were the chemical industry, science and tertiary education. The element Darmstadtium is named after the city, as it was synthesized in a nearby research facility.
Start your sightseeing trip with the Ducal Palace of Darmstadt, as it's right in the center. Once, it was the residence of the counts of Hesse-Darmstadt, and later was used by the Grand Dukes of Hesse. The building was erected in the 13th Century, though the counts acquired it in the second half of the 17th Century. The castle is named Frankenstein, and it's believed that Mary Shelley adopted the name for her novel, as she travelled a lot through the region.
Going to the Luisenplatz, you can admire the 33-meter column commemorating Ludwig I, the first Grand Duke of Hesse, right in the middle of the square. Enjoy the modern buildings surrounding the place, then head for Marketplatz Square, near the old city hall.
We also recommend the Rosenhohe Garden, the Mathildenhohe and the Russian Chapel, as these will definitely make for a lovely stay in Darmstadt.
When it comes to interesting events held in the city, you'll be fortunate if you visit in early July, when the Heinerfest Festival is organized. This traditional German festival features lots of music, acts and beer halls. If you're heading for Darmstadt in May, you can take part in the Schloßgrabenfest and enjoy the live music performances.
For your visit, we offer a bunch of cozy places and quality hotels on our Darmstadt online catalogue.