Center of Hesse in Germany. Illustrated magazine by Vladimir Dergachev “Landscapes of Life. Local cuisine and wines

One of the sixteen federal states of Germany. The name "Hesse" (in German it is written as "Hessen", and in Latin spelling - "Hassia") comes from the ancient Germanic tribe of the Hutts.

Capital Hesse - Wiesbaden.

Population- about 61 million people. The population density of this region is approximately 300 people per 1 sq. km.

Area of ​​Hesse is 21,114 sq. km.

Largest cities: Frankfurt am Main, Darmstadt, Wiesbaden, Kassel, Offenbach am Main, Gissel, Fulda, Hanau.

Geographical location, borders. The federal state of Hesse is located in the geographical center of Germany. This region borders the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Administrative division. Since 1981, the state of Hesse has been divided into three administrative districts: Giessen, Darmstadt and Kassel. These administrative districts, in turn, include 21 districts, 426 communities and five “free cities”.

Main rivers and canals of Hesse- these are Rhine, Main, Neckar, Weser, Kinzig, Vera, Lahn, Eder, Diemel, Schwalm, Linsferbach, Nidda, Fulda, Dille, Aselbach, etc.

Landscapes. Hesse is a mountainous region: there are mountains such as the Rhön (height 950 m) and Vogelberg (height 774 m). There are also many deciduous forests (Hesse is considered the most forested state in Germany, since forests occupy 39% of its total area). In Hesse there are: the Westerwald forest, in the north the Weserbergland forest, in the south the Taunus forest, the Rheingau forest and the main part of the Oden forest. This land has also become famous for its vineyards and natural healing springs. For example, there are a large number of medicinal mineral springs in such resort cities as Wiesbaden, Bad Nauheim, Bad Wildungen, Bad Homburg and Schlangenbad.

Industry. The following industries are most developed in Hesse: mechanical engineering (automotive), machine tools, chemical and electronics industries. In this region there are factories of world famous companies - for example, Opel, Volkswagen, Thyssen-Henschel and many others. The most important natural resources extracted in Hesse are potash salt, oil, gas and brown coal.

Economy. The city of Frankfurt am Main plays a leading role in the economy of this region. There are a large number of offices and residences of German and foreign banks from around the world. For example, we can mention the European Central Bank, which took part in the decision to introduce the single European currency, and the Commerzbank, whose building is the tallest institution in Europe.

The industrial region of Rhine-Main is one of the largest and most significant for the German economy (this is facilitated at least by its geographical location between two major rivers). And Frankfurt Rhein-Main Airport is considered not only the largest in Germany, but also the second largest in Europe. Its location in central Europe makes this airport an important transit point for international air travel. Frankfurt is also home to the world's fourth largest financial exchange.

Tourism. The federal state of Hesse is surprisingly rich in various attractions. Here you can see completely different natural landscapes: dense forests, heather steppes, swamps, mountain peaks with forested slopes, as well as clear lakes and rivers. The presence of many mineral springs has created unique opportunities for healing and recreation.

Also in the federal state of Hesse there are many wonderful cultural and historical monuments that have survived to this day both from the Middle Ages and from the times of the ancient Germans and Romans.

The local vineyards, ancient half-timbered towns, romantic resort towns, as well as international cultural and entertainment centers make an indelible impression.

Frankfurt am Main, famous for its banks and world-class industry trade fairs, has a modern skyline thanks to its numerous skyscrapers (it is called the “second Manhattan” or “second Tokyo”). However, in addition to its “business face”, this city also has a tourist “face”. For example, it is worth visiting the beautifully restored ancient Römerberg Square (translated into Russian this name means “Roman Mountain”) or the Main embankment, famous as the “Museum Embankment”. You can also try local apple wine in the cozy bars and bodegas of the Sachsenhausen district, walk along the pedestrian street "Fressgasse" (which translates as "Glutton"), which is so named because of the many cafes and restaurants located here, or along the elegant Goethestrasse street , bearing the name of the great German poet.

In addition, Frankfurt hosts events of international importance in the fields of art, music and culture. In addition, many cities in Hesse have interesting museums and art galleries. The German National Library, located in Frankfurt am Main, is called the “bookcase” of the state. The largest international book fair in the world, Frankfurt, takes place here every year.

For example, in the city of Kassel, located on the Fulda River, every five years the exhibition of contemporary art “Documenta” is held, which attracts many tourists and art lovers from all over the world. However, even in normal times, Kassel is rich in various attractions. For example, lovers of the works of the German storytellers Brothers Grimm come to the capital of the world famous German “Fairy Tale Street”, which stretches 600 km from the city of Hanau beyond the borders of Hesse right up to the city of Bremen, to enjoy the atmosphere that gave birth to the heroes beloved by many generations of children in the imagination of writers. For example, in the ancient centuries-old forest of Reinhardswald there is the fairy-tale castle of Zababurg, where, according to a magical legend, the Sleeping Beauty slept for a hundred years in anticipation of a handsome prince. On Mount Hoher-Meissner, whose height is 754 meters, there once stood the house of Mrs. Blizzard from the world-famous fairy tale of the same name by the Brothers Grimm.

In the foothills of the Taunus mountain range, on the banks of the Rhine River, the capital of Hesse is located - the small town of Wiesbaden. Despite its modest size compared to Frankfurt am Main, this city has always been distinguished by a high standard of living and was considered a city of luxurious villas and fine wine, as well as a resort with thermal springs. The past of Wiesbaden remembers the visits “to the waters” of many famous people. A cozy atmosphere, memorable architecture, as well as a variety of public gardens and parks combined with a rich cultural life - all this makes up the modern appeal of Wiesbaden, considered a center of congresses and culture... Among the attractions of Wiesbaden are an old casino, a Museum of Scientists, a mountain park with many fountains .

The presence of mountains in the region contributed to the development of winter sports and winter ski tourism.

The state of Hesse is located in the very center of Germany. The land that holds the treasures of the nation, showing its heritage to the world. Here you can find hundreds of majestic monuments and statues, amazing and beautiful castles, architectural wonders, amazingly beautiful religious sites, educational museums, as well as unforgettable scenic areas.

All this can be seen in the federal state of Hesse. It is important to note that it takes a long time to explore not even all, but only the main attractions.

Braunfels Castle was first mentioned in a document dated January 3, 1246. On the site of today's castle there was originally only a tower, built in a prominent place on the basis of basalt rocks. Then it was expanded, two more towers were added, and they were surrounded by a wall. After which a defensive tower, a Knight's Hall and an old castle appeared.

Visitors are invited to stroll through the courtyard and explore the most beautiful rooms of the castle. You can go on a tour of the armory hall, or a tour of sacred art.

The adventure tour includes a costume show of the castle and a story about its history. Children will especially enjoy a walk around the castle; a lot of new impressions await them here.

Almost everyone knows the exciting story about the scientist Frankenstein and the monster he created. There are many historical facts that indicate that the world famous novel written by Mary Shelley actually originates in Frankenstein's castle. It is located southeast of Darmstadt.

The exact date of construction remains uncertain, but it is known that the castle was first mentioned in 1252. Frankenstein's Castle has survived many eras, which is reflected in its architectural styles. The very first to be built was the Southern Main Castle, with residential buildings and a narrow courtyard. Then the thick outer walls of the castle were added. And for the best protection, a circular wall was built, a moat was dug in front of the tower gate, and there was a drawbridge with a long entrance to the castle.

There was also a defensive tower on the south side. Around the 16th century, the castle's space was expanded, after which Frankenstein Castle reached its final form. Now the castle is a popular destination for visitors. It hosts Germany's largest annual Halloween festival, major events, weddings, and the castle is open to tourists and offers a variety of tours.

Location: Parkplatz Burg Frankenstein, 64367 - Mühltal.

Greifenstein Castle is a national monument. The unique silhouette of the castle is the most recognizable symbol of the region. From the height of the hill on which the castle stands, a picturesque landscape opens up.

It houses the most important collection of bells in Germany. And here awaits a fascinating tour through the history of thousands of bells from around the world. The castle itself is unique both in its architecture and in the historical events that took place during its life. Here, each of its stones can tell its own story.

Location: Talstraße - 19.

In 1908, a dam was built near Lake Eder, which is located in the federal state of Hesse. At an altitude of 200 m above lake level, the beautiful Waldeck Castle rises. It was built in the 12th century.

The castle terrace offers fantastic views of the lake and the forested mountains of the national park. You can take a walk around the castle grounds on your own. Or you can use the services of a guide who will show you and give an interesting story about the history of the medieval castle.

Location: Schloßstraße - 1.

In the city of Fulda, administrative district of Kassel in the German state of Hesse, there is one of the oldest and largest Protestant churches. It stands in the middle of the city, halfway between the central railway station and the City Palace.

The Protestant Church - the Church of Christ is of great importance for the religious community, is the venue for church music concerts, and is also one of the most interesting attractions for tourists.

The first stone of the building's foundation was laid on July 24, 1894. Today, the well-designed interior of the church allows visitors to spend their time here in reflection and prayer. The floors are covered with sandstone slabs, the ceiling is painted a bright blue to symbolize divinity, a central corridor leads to the font and altar, and benches are placed on the sides.

Location: Lindenstraße - 1.

In Wiesbaden, in the city center is the Boniface Church. A beautiful and majestic cathedral, with two spiers towering over the city. Its doors are always open to parishioners. Inside the large hall, visitors walk towards the center, where the altar is installed.

There are countless prayer candles in the hall. The sun's rays play in the large stained glass windows. From such light, both daylight and the light from candles, a special aura is felt in the cathedral, an aura of mystery and tranquility.

Location: Luisenstraße - 33.

How nice it is for travelers to see parts of their own Motherland in other countries. They get a feeling of closeness to home when they look at the Russian Church. This is a beautiful and valuable building for the city of Wiesbaden, it is visible and stands out from afar.

In architecture, it resembles the Moscow Cathedral of Christ the Savior; it was built according to its model. The church serves the Russian community as a parish church.

Location: Christian-Spielmann-Weg - 1.

More than one generation has grown up on the fairy tales of the world-famous Brothers Grimm. A monument to them was erected on the market square of the city of Hanau in Hesse.

The total height of the monument is 6.45 meters. The sculpture of one of the brothers - Wilhelm Grimm - in a sitting position, next to him the second brother Jacob Grimm - standing. There is an open book on Wilhelm's lap, and both brothers are reading it.

The famous poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe was born in the German city of Frankfurt am Main. Streets and government institutions, such as Goethe University, are named after him in Germany.

In 1844, a monument was erected in his hometown. It represents a high bronze pedestal and a sculpture of the poet, also made of bronze. The poet looks into the distance with a thoughtful look, in his hand is a scroll with poems. On the pedestal you can see reliefs in the form of characters from works - allegorical figures of Goethe's lyrical poetry.

The German monument is located in the Niederwald National Park. The author of the project is Johannes Schiller. The monument is impressive with its enormous size; from the base to the top its height is 38.18 meters.

The composition, installed on a pedestal, is about 12.5 meters high, and at its base is engraved an inscription that commemorates the German-Prussian war and the unification of the empire in 1870-1871. There are many bas-reliefs on the monument; in total, 133 people are depicted here.

First of all, these are generals and princes who played an important role in history. Among them is a Prussian guard with a flag and next to him a Saxon infantryman carrying a drum. All 133 figures are life-size. On either side of the main bas-reliefs are two other characters, symbolizing war and peace. On the left side there is a scene of farewell to the soldiers, and on the right side their return is shown.

The Lorsch Monastery is one of the main attractions of the state of Hesse. Its history goes back a long way; it was founded in 764. An amazing engraving by Matthaus Merian from 1615 has survived to this day, depicting the monastery with all its buildings.

Until the 90s of the 20th century, everything possible was done to find out about the most important architectural components of the monastery ensemble; archaeological excavations were carried out and ancient manuscripts were studied. From an important medieval monastery, the “Royal Hall”, part of the church and the monastery wall have survived. And in 2008/2009, as part of the program for the preservation of historical and cultural heritage sites, funds were allocated for the restoration of the monastery. Now the monastery owns a garden of medicinal plants, a monastery wall, a Carolingian estate, and a large museum center.

Location: Nibelungenstraße.

Archaeological Park – Saalburg in Hesse

The main gate of the Archaeological Park and Open Air Museum opens the way for all guests to follow in the footsteps of the Romans. At the end of the first century, a Roman frontier camp was built in the Taunus Mountains. The Saalburg area developed rapidly, with up to 2,000 soldiers and civilians living in this military settlement.

There were paved roads, shops, bars, the infrastructure of the settlement was well developed, but it was attacked by Germanic tribes and Saalburg was completely abandoned. In the mid-19th century, the first archaeological excavations were carried out in these places. Then they reconstructed the Saalburg fortress. And in 2005, Saalburg was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

On the territory of the archaeological park there is a castle, a museum, an archaeological collection, costumed performances are held for park guests, which show the life of the Roman troops. You can also go on a tour demonstrating various crafts.

Not far from the commune of Messel there is an interesting quarry, the Messel quarry. Fossilized remains of early animals have been discovered at this site. Extensive paleontological excavations are still underway here. Tourists come here to look at it and even take part in such excavations. Special tours are offered and screenings are held. An observation deck has been built on the edge of the quarry, from where you can look inside, even without taking part in a tour.

The information center at the quarry offers a journey into the world of the quarry, simulating a descent underground to a depth of 433 meters with the discovery of fossil finds. This quarry is an important witness to the evolution of animals, and a visit to it will be very educational and interesting.

Wilhelmshöhe - Mountain Park

In the Administrative District of Kassel, Hesse, there is a unique park - the Wilhelmshöhe Mountain Park.

Among the special places in the park are the Medieval Löwenburg Castle, Wilhelmshöhe Palace with a flower greenhouse and an adjacent castle for celebrations, baroque and romantic fountains, waterfalls, small buildings - the Socrates Hall and the Temple of Mercury. And the main building - the Karl Landgrave Building of Hesse-Kassel - is a real miracle of architecture, it was built in the Baroque style, right in a cave and symbolizes the triumph of art over nature. The monumental hydraulic structures of the park have attracted curious travelers from all over the world for many centuries.

Five forest sites in Germany are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. They represent the most valuable remaining large intact beech forests. When traveling through Hesse, you should definitely visit the Kellerwald Edersee National Park. This area is hilly, there are many stones and steep slopes. Apparently due to this, the use of forestry was difficult, and the forest was not cut down.

The territory of this forest was made a nature reserve due to the diversity of plant and animal species that lived here. A walk through the national park will give you happy moments and create a feeling of calm and serenity. Rocky hillocks, tall trees, sometimes with bizarre and even slightly fabulous shapes, a huge number of streams and clean water sources - all this is the Kellerwald Edersee National Park. Among the animals you can see here are the black stork, eagle owl, kite, woodpeckers, bats, and many rare beetles.

Traveling in Germany through the land of Hesse on warm days, starting here in early May and lasting until October, you can diversify your extensive excursion program and visiting many magnificent palaces and museums with a huge collection of interesting exhibits with trips to wonderful natural parks and gardens.

One such garden is the Dahlia Garden in Fulda. Walking here is especially tempting at the end of summer, when more than 30 varieties of dahlias bloom here. The garden is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. The garden has a beautiful view, from here you can see the city's Cathedral Square.

Even traveling around Europe, you can meet the inhabitants of Africa. The Frankfurt Zoo, founded in 1858, offers lions and crocodiles, monkeys and rhinoceroses. It is interesting to observe the impressive wildlife of Africa and other continents.

Lives here more than 4500 animals, represented by 500 different types. Especially for little visitors there is a children's petting zoo, and on weekends you can ride a pony.

Location: Bernhard-Grzimek-Allee - 1.

The history of Hesse is typical of the German states. All sixteen acquired integrity, and then the desire to unite, after going through a multi-stage path. From about the middle of the 5th century. BC e. The Celts settled on the territory of present-day Hesse, as evidenced by the burials on Mount Glauberg. The name Hesse follows the Latin Hassia, or land of the Hessian tribe. But even before them, in the 1st century. BC e., the Celts were supplanted by the Germanic tribe of the Hutts. Over time, the Hutts assimilated with their related Hessians, and then with the Alemanni and Franks, this happened around the 5th century. In the VII-VIII centuries. The first monasteries appear on the land of Hesse, and in one of the papal letters the “people of Hesse” are mentioned for the first time. In the 8th century this people and their land are part of the Frankish kingdom, as indicated by the name of the city of Frankfurt, known since 794. And the first county appeared here at the end of the 8th - beginning of the 9th century.
In 1122, the territory of Hesse became part of Thuringia and was divided into counties, the most influential of which was the County of Gutensberg, which passed to Ludwig I of Thuringia in 1137. After the War of the Thuringian Succession (1247-1264), Hesse became officially known as the Landgraviate of Hessengau within the Holy Roman Empire. Perhaps it was not in the XIII-XV centuries. in Germany, a land more torn apart by civil strife than Thuringia: after the war, Landgrave Albrecht I the Wretched was in continuous war, first with his father Henry I the Serene, then with his brother Dietrich von Landsberg, finally with his own sons Frederick the Bitten and Dietrich I, because favored his illegitimate son Albrecht. And so on in the same way... Until the Margrave of Hesse-Kassel, Wilhelm II, took possession of all of Hesse.
His son, Philip the Magnanimous (1504-1567), was an ardent supporter of the church reformer Martin Luther (1483-1546). As his follower, he concluded a military alliance with the Elector of Saxony, proclaimed Lutheranism as the official religion (1526) and opened the first Protestant university in Marburg (1527). Immediately after his death, the territory was divided between his four sons from his first marriage (Philip was a bigamist) into four principalities: Hesse-Kassel, Hesse-Darmstadt, Hesse-Rheinfeld and also the previously existing Hesse-Marburg After the last two dynasties were interrupted ( in 1583 and 1605, respectively), the dynasties of Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt strengthened and they also competed with each other. With varied success. Until the Hesse-Darmstadt dynasty gained the upper hand. But she too in the 16th-18th centuries. it lost and then gained territory again. By the beginning of the 19th century. The territory of the present state of Hesse consisted of four principalities and duchies, one county and the free city of Frankfurt. After the Austro-Prussian War of 1866, all German states that sided with the defeated Austria, including Nassau, the Electorate of Hesse and the city of Frankfurt, were annexed to Prussia in 1867. Only the Grand Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt retained the status of a sovereign state.
After the November Revolution of 1918, the power of the Kaiser fell in Germany and the Weimar Republic was formed. The Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt became the state of Hesse. But already in 1919, part of it on the western bank of the Rhine, under the terms of the Treaty of Versailles, was occupied by French troops. This continued until 1930, and in 1933 the period of the Third Reich began. On September 19, 1945, the administration of the American occupation zone united Hesse-Darmstadt and most of the former Prussian provinces of Hesse and Nassau into the state of Hesse. And when the Federal Republic of Germany was created (1949), the state of Hesse within the same borders became a federal state.
After 1945, the people of Germany were forced to pay the bills of World War II for the criminal adventurism of Hitler and other leaders of the Third Reich and their own shortsightedness. In Hesse, as throughout Germany, there was a shortage of housing, food, and fuel. The cities of Frankfurt Hanau, Darmstadt, Giessen, Marburg, Fulda and Kassel were severely destroyed. The land received about a million refugees from across the Oder and Neisse line, along which the border with the Soviet occupation zone passed. People also arrived here from other countries of Eastern Europe, where pro-communist regimes were established.
The American Marshall Plan, adopted in 1947 and implemented in 1948, was a program for the revival of the European economy. It provided for the removal of barriers to trade, the modernization of industry and the development of a political system based on financial assistance. Assistance to West Germany ($1.3 billion) under the Marshall Plan was carried out simultaneously with the collection of indemnity (reparations) for damage caused to the victorious countries in the amount of $20 billion. But not only in money, most of the reparations consisted of industrial equipment exported from the country. As for Hesse itself, here, having gratefully accepted dollar investments, they immediately began to look for their own levers of revival. In 1946, the Hesse Plan was adopted. The priority tasks for it were declared to be the development of infrastructure and the construction of industrial enterprises, “social modernization of the village” and the integration of new arrivals based on the creation of jobs, and above all, their resettlement from barracks camps and temporary huts. At this time Hesse is a large construction site. Berlin, as the financial center of the country, lost its importance, and this role was taken over by Berlin, which by the 1960s became the financial capital of the country, and then of all Western Europe. Today, more than 400 German and foreign banks operate here, including the European Central Bank and the Commerzbank, whose building is 259 m high. The city is often called “Bankfurt”, and its skyscraper district “German Manhattan” or “Chicago on the Main”.
In the humanities world, Frankfurt is best known for its largest world book fair - the annual Frankfurt Book Fair in October, in which about 100 countries participate. Frankfurt Airport itself and the railway terminal working in conjunction with it are the most representative transport hub on the European continent. But the capital of the earth is not this metropolis, but the calm, picturesque resort of Wiesbaden, also famous for its ancient casino.
The most famous brands of products produced in Hesse are Opel and Volkswagen cars, Fulda truck tires, and pharmaceutical products. From here, locomotives, carriages and much more are also exported to European countries. The center of industry in Hesse is the Rhine-Main region.
Hesse has managed, however, to maintain a reasonable balance between powerful industry and nature, ancient cities and towns with their half-timbered environment, and historical attractions. This land also has its own “fairy-tale” relics: in the ancient forest of Reinhardswald stands the “Sleeping Beauty Castle”; according to legend, a truly noble girl lived here, immersed in a deep sleep; On Mount Hoer-Meisner (754 m), it is believed that the Grimm brothers settled their Lady Metelitsa. From the city of Hanau, the 600-kilometer tourist route “Road of Fairy Tales” begins, ending in the city of Bremen (Bremen).
Famous resorts of Hesse, operating on local thermal springs. They are associated with the most modern medical infrastructure: in Wiesbaden alone there are four large multidisciplinary medical centers. In short, a trip to Hesse can be business, educational, and useful.

general information

Economy

Climate and weather

Attractions

Frankfurt am Main

• Cathedral of St. Bartholomew (XIV-XV centuries)
• St. Paul's Cathedral (XVIII-XIX centuries)
• Church of St. Catherine (XVII century)
• Frauenfriedenkirche - Church of the Myrrh-Bearers (1929, Art Nouveau)
• "Römer" ("Roman") - historical municipal building (XIV-XV centuries)
• "Old Opera" (XIX century)
• "New Opera" (1951)
• Guardhouse - a Baroque building (18th century), used as a prison
• Museums (more than 20) are concentrated in the Embankment of Museums area
• Skyscrapers: 11 buildings with a height of at least 150 m, the highest is 259 m.
• Zeil shopping street

Wiesbaden

• Marktkirche Church (XIX century) - neo-Gothic
• Russian Church of St. Elizabeth (“Greek Chapel”, 19th century)
• Old Town Hall (1610)
• New Town Hall (1887)
• Palace Square with the Duke's Palace (1840)
• Wiesbaden Museum
• Harlequinecum Museum (collection dedicated to European inventors)
• Casino where there is a Dostoevsky hall
• Mount Neroberg

Darmstadt

• Louise Square
• Palace of the dynasty of the Dukes of Hesse-Darmstadt of eclectic architecture (fragments of the 16th, 18th and 19th centuries), now a library
• City Museum, including a small art gallery with works by Hans Holbein
• Residential complex “Forest Spiral” (2000) designed by the Austrian architect F. Hundertwasser
• Mathildenhöhe Hill - “Colony of Artists”, a collection of architectural masterpieces of Art Nouveau, as well as the Russian chapel of St. Mary Magdalene (“Wedding Tower”), built for Nicholas II and his wife Alexandra Feodorovna, née Princess of Hesse-Darmstadt
• Herngarten park, founded in the 16th century.
• Hesse State Museum (applied arts, art gallery, mineralogical collections)
• "Porcelain House"
• Prince George's Palace with a collection of European porcelain
• Rosenhöhe - English landscape park (XIX century)
• Kassel: artificial ruins of the knightly castle of Leuvenburg in the neo-Gothic style (XVIII-XIX centuries)
• Palace and park ensemble of Karlsruhe with a palace-orangery (1701)
• Wilhelmshöhe palace and park ensemble and Wilhelmsthal hunting castle
• Brothers Grimm Museum
• Kassel hosts Documenta every five years (the next one will be held in 2022) - Europe's largest exhibition of contemporary art.

Fulda

• Old Town (half-timbered architecture)
• Church of St. Michael (IX century)
• Baroque architecture of the 18th century. - Catholic Cathedral of St. Salvator (“High Cathedral”), built on the site of a basilica of the 9th century, where the Catholic saint Boniface is buried
• Ensemble "Baroque Quarter"
• City Parish Church (Stadtpfarrkirche)
• Palace of the Prince Abbots of Fulda
• City Castle
• Kreuz Cultural Center
• Art Museum Vonderau

Marburg

• Old city
• University of Marburg (old building from the 16th century)
• Marburg Castle (early 14th century)
• Early Gothic castle chapel and Elisabethkirche church (both - 2nd half of the 13th century with later Baroque layers)
• Museum of Childhood and Learning
• Museum of Art and Cultural History
• Mineralogical Museum at the University

National parks

• Spessart
• Upper Vogelsberg
• Hessian Rhön

Balneological resorts

• Wiesbaden
• Bad Homburg
• Bad Arolsen
• Bad Wilbungen and others (about 30 in total)

Curious facts

• Marburg is one of the six “classical university cities in Germany; the world’s oldest Protestant university is located here (founded in 1527), where M. V. Lomonosov (1711-1765) and the creator of Russian porcelain, the chemist D., studied simultaneously. I. Vinogradov (1720-1758), in 1912 the poet B. L. Pasternak (1890-1960) spent one semester, who dedicated a poem to him.
• The stock exchange in Frankfurt am Main, founded in 1585, has been a leading stock exchange in Germany since the middle of the last century. In addition, it acts as a museum, receiving up to 50,000 visitors a year. General excursions are free, but for a fee you can enter the auction.

The Mouse Tower on Binger Island was built as a watchtower in the first half of the 14th century to protect Ehrenfels Castle, which served as a trade tax collection point for the Electorate of Mainz.

In 1689, the tower was destroyed by French troops. It was restored between 1856 and 1858, with the personal participation of the Prussian Emperor Friedrich Wilhelm IV and the architect of Cologne Cathedral, Ernst Friedrich Zwinger. The Mouse Tower, recreated in neo-Gothic style, once again adorns the Rhineland landscape.

There are several legends about the meaning of the name of the tower. One of them, recorded in 1516, says that the name comes from the medieval German word "mû sen", which means to look for a way out. It is believed that the customs house of Ehrenfels Castle was connected to the tower by a secret passage. However, according to ancient legend, there is another explanation for the choice of name. The heartless Bishop Hutto allegedly tried to escape in the tower from a huge flock of mice. But his pursuers still managed to swim to the tower and devoured the bishop.

Wilhelmshöhe Mountain Park

Wilhelmshöhe Mountain Park is a famous park in Kassel, Hesse, Germany. Included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Famous for its beautiful waterfalls and Wilhelmshöhe Palace, located on top of a hill in the park. Also, one of the statues, a giant sculpture of Hercules, located here, has become a symbol of the city of Kassel.

Construction of the park in the Baroque style began in 1689 under Karl Kassel, and was completed only in the 19th century. First, the water cascades of the park were built, which stretch from east to west. The canals and pools that can be seen behind the famous statue of Hercules are part of a complex hydropneumatic system that provides the movement of water for a whole complex of fountains and grottoes.

The second most popular attraction in the park (after the statue of Hercules) is the Great Fountain, which, like a geyser, throws water up to 50 meters. The huge beautiful park, ponds and its hydraulic capabilities are clear evidence of the aesthetics of romanticism and baroque.

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Museum of Science and Technology

Mathematikum - Museum of Science and Technology, located in Gieß en, offers a huge variety of practical mathematical exhibitions.

It was founded by Albrecht Beutelspacher, a German mathematician. Mathematikum opened its doors to visitors on November 19, 2002 by German President Johannes Rau. Since then, the museum has attracted more than 500,000 visitors.

More than 150,000 people visit the museum every year. The museum is open every day of the week, including Sunday.

Levenburg is a fairly young building, erected in the 17th century, although many attribute it to a medieval castle. Next to the palace there is an armory room where you can find weapons and armor from the 15th-16th centuries, and a chapel in which the tomb of the castle’s founder is located.

Leuvenburg Castle is often called a "fake castle". The ideological inspirer of the fake castle is William IX himself, who commissioned the architect to build a structure that could be compared with English medieval palaces. The castle looks like a real fortress, although in fact it is not a fortress.

To implement the ideas of William IX, the architect specially had to go to England to study in detail the ruins of English fortresses, and draw up a plan for the construction of the magnificent Levenberg and the adjacent garden. The entire complex is one beautiful garden in the English style, with thematic branches. This is the first of its kind in Europe. In the garden you can see fake palace ruins, fake aqueducts of Rome, and even temples of Greece. The outside of the castle is surrounded by a moat, and you can get inside thanks to a drawbridge.

The interior atmosphere of the castle is also unique. Here you can find original medieval furniture, altar slabs, weapons and armor decorating the walls, game tables, bronze statues and stained glass windows. The castle was deliberately built in such a way as if it had taken part in many battles and sieges. In fact, the effect of antiquity is artificial. Most of the halls and parts of Levenburg are freely accessible to tourists. Next to the castle there is an armory with weapons and armor from the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as a chapel-tomb of the founder.

Levenburg does not have as much history as the more famous German castles, but it deservedly takes its place on the list of the most beautiful castles in Germany.

Forest Spiral

Forest Spiral is an unusual residential complex in Darmstadt. The author of the project is Friedensreich Hundertwasser, who was a supporter of the harmony of man and nature, so the house turned out to be of an extraordinary shape, without rectangular lines, with different windows and with trees on the roof.

The main idea of ​​the architect was to imitate nature - the building should fit into the surrounding landscape, be unlike others and have a roof garden. There was also an idea to make the floor uneven, but due to difficulties in finding furniture, the author of the project decided to leave the floor flat. The structure is made in the form of a horseshoe and rises spirally upward. In addition to 105 apartments, the house has a courtyard with lawns, artificial lakes, a playground, parking and other infrastructure. The original appearance of the house with walls painted pink, yellow and beige, as well as windows of different shapes and sizes, attracts the attention of both fans of Hundertwasser and his style, and ordinary tourists.

Castle Frankenstein

The name Frankenstein is an integral part of popular culture these days. The monstrous monster, invented by Mary Shelley, has become a popular hero in numerous horror films. Few people know that Frankenstein is the real name of an old family of German barons, whose castle can still be seen near the German city of Darmstadt.

The first mention of Castle Frankenstein, associated with the name of its first owner, Lord Conrad the Second, dates back to 1252. The castle, perched on a hill, became the center of the Frankenstein Principality and was rebuilt several times during the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The castle was sold in 1662, and for some time it housed a hospital and a prison, but eventually it was abandoned and today lies in ruins.

One of the most interesting owners of the castle was the alchemist Johann Konrad Dippel. Even during Dippel's lifetime, his name became surrounded by rumors and legends. They say that during unsuccessful experiments with nitroglycerin, the alchemist caused an explosion that destroyed one of the castle towers. One day, Johann Conrad was accused of stealing corpses from a local cemetery. Apparently, he studied anatomy, and there was no other way to obtain material for research at that time.

It is not known for certain whether Dippel’s story inspired Mary Shelley, who was vacationing near Darmstadt in 1814, to write her famous novel. However, the name Frankenstein is widely used to attract tourists to the castle, so every autumn a costume festival is held here on Halloween.

Rheinstein Castle

Reinstein Castle, with a crenellated crown at the top of the tower, which denoted the free status of the inhabitants, was built in the 10th century and served as a military castle.

Throughout its existence, the castle has not experienced a single serious siege. The most famous event that took place within the walls of the fortress was the trial of the robber knights Zoonek, Ehrenfels and Reichenstein, which took place in the 13th century under the leadership of Emperor Rudolf von Habsburg. They were accused of numerous robberies and murders, and then beheaded in front of the chapel of St. Clemens, which is one of the oldest churches located on the banks of the Rhine.

In the 19th century, the castle was acquired by the Prussian prince Friedrich Wilhelm and began to actively restore it. Now the castle is visited by tourists. Annual festivals and concerts are held near it. The most exciting action is the "Rhine Lights" festival, when spectacular fireworks are displayed on the ferry near the castle.

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Eagle Tower

The Eagle Tower in Rüdesheim is legendary and has a rich history. It was a corner tower of the old city wall running along the banks of the Rhine.

The building was built in the 15th century in the late Gothic style. The tower is 21 meters high, its internal diameter is 5 meters, and the wall thickness is 1 meter. The structure consisted of four floors, including underground rooms that housed a dungeon and warehouses for medicine, food and ammunition. Access to the tower was through a hole in its upper compartment.

For many years the building stood in oblivion. In the 20th century, the tower housed the Zum Adler hotel, from which it took its name. The famous German poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe often liked to stay here. Currently, the Eagle Tower is owned by the bank and is open to visitors during certain hours.

The most popular attractions in Hesse with descriptions and photographs for every taste. Choose the best places to visit famous places in Hesse on our website.

The region of Hesse (German: Hessen) was created on September 19, 1945 according to a special decree of the US military occupation administration. Before this, its territory was part of the principalities of Hesse-Kassel and Hesse-Darmstadt. It borders the states of North Rhine-Westphalia, Lower Saxony, Thuringia, Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate.

Geographical heart of Germany

Hesse, the fifth largest federal state by area, is located in the very center of Germany. A point is designated on its territory, the distance from which to different parts of the country is equidistant. The geographical heart of Germany is rich in natural resources. In addition to oil and gas, brown coal and potassium salt are mined here. The capital of the state is Wiesbaden. It is also known for its casinos and is popular as a resort town. The region as a whole is famous for its unique nature: wooded hills rise here, and many calm rivers flow.

Historical evidence about Hesse

The name of the land comes from one of the ancient Germanic tribes - the Hutts (not to be confused with the fantastic race from Star Wars, which has the same name). As a result of the Prussian-Austrian War of 1866, most of Hesse came into the possession of Prussia - with the exception of the Duchy of Hesse-Darmstadt. Nowadays it is one of the most actively developing areas on the European continent.

One of the centers of economic life

Hesse is one of the world's recognized financial centers. The German Federal Bank operates on its territory, not to mention the presence of branches of other German and a number of foreign banks (there are more than four hundred of them). Production has been developed. Brand new locomotives and cars of such brands as Volkswagen, Opel, Thyssen-Henschel and others roll off the assembly lines of the local factories.

Cities and attractions of Hesse

Exploring Frankfurt am Main, the region's largest city, begins with its international airport. It is the largest in Germany and the second largest in Europe (after London Heathrow). Its location in the very center of the old continent makes this air harbor an important link in global air travel. Up to 40 million passengers use its services annually.

Frankfurt am Main is also famous for its famous library, which the Germans call the “bookcase” of all Germany. Popular book exhibitions are frequent in the city. And during the times of the Empire (1870-1918), it was here that the German Kaisers were crowned.

Tourists, especially fans of fine arts, should also turn their attention to the city of Kassel. Here you can visit the museum of famous storytellers the Brothers Grimm, visit the largest exhibition of contemporary art “Documenta” and visit a mountain park famous for its amazing fountains.

You can talk for a long time about the land of Hesse, its nature and cities, and the many attractions concentrated in this area. But it is hardly possible to list all the advantages of the region. Isn't it better to come here at least once and see everything with your own eyes?