Wiesbaden, Germany is an old German resort known for its excellent service, healing mineral springs and attractions that attract tourists from all over the world. Let’s get to know it better!?
General information
Wiesbaden, located on the right bank of the Rhine, is the capital of Hesse and the second largest city in the state. It was first mentioned in 829 BC, when the ancient Romans built a hospital for sick and wounded legionnaires. It was they who discovered the thermal springs that later made Wiesbaden one of the most popular balneological resorts in Europe. Today, there are 26 hot springs and several cold springs in the city. The most powerful of these, Kochbrunnen, produces about 500,000 liters of sodium chloride water every day, which is 4% of the total amount of water that is erupted.
Attractions
Wiesbaden is famous not only for its unique natural features, but also for its numerous historical sites that hold great significance for German history and culture.
Funicular and Mount Nero
Looking at photos of Wiesbaden, you simply can’t help but notice one of the city’s most prominent landmarks. This is the Neroberg, a mountain located in the northern part of the resort, at an altitude of 245 meters above sea level. Named after the Roman emperor Nero, the Neroberg is not only known for its picturesque landscapes.
Firstly, there is the Church of St. Elizabeth, one of the few Orthodox churches in Germany, located at the top of the hill. Secondly, there is a vast vineyard that was planted several centuries ago and has become a symbol of the local winemakers. This vineyard is known for its rare grape varieties, which are used to produce high-quality wines. Thirdly, the slopes of Nero are home to the largest Orthodox cemetery in Europe, with over 800 graves. The main reason for tourists to climb this mountain is Opelbad, a complex of outdoor pools surrounded by trees and beautiful flower gardens.
You can get to the top of the mountain by taking the Neroberg funicular, which can cover a distance of 430 meters in a few minutes. When it was first launched in 1888, it consisted of two small cars connected by a 29-meter-long cable and equipped with large water tanks. When one of the cars ascended, the tank was filled with water, but when it descended, the tank was emptied. This imbalance caused the funicular to move. And since the water would simply freeze with the onset of frost, the lift only worked from April to October. By the way, this tradition has survived to this day.
Address: Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany.
Opening hours:
- March – April, September – November 1: daily from 10:00 to 19:00;
- May – August: daily from 09:00 to 20:00.
The lift departs every 15 minutes.
Entrance fee: from 2€ to 12€ depending on age and ticket type. Details can be checked on the official website – www.nerobergbahn.de/startseite.html.
Kurhaus
The list of the most interesting sights in Wiesbaden continues with the Kurhaus, a unique architectural monument located in the central part of the city. This monumental building, designed in the neoclassical style, consists of 12 halls that are used for celebrations, symposiums, conferences, and other events. Each hall has its own unique design. The concert hall’s interior features Nassau marble, a bay window decorated with embossed leather elements, a red-themed Louis XVI-style decoration, and more. Everything here exudes wealth and luxury!
The entrance to the building is decorated with the city’s coat of arms featuring three lilies and an inscription in Latin, and the foyer, which often hosts receptions and art exhibitions, is impressive with its 20-meter-high dome.
However, the Kurhall is famous not only for its expensive crystal chandeliers, valuable wood panels, exquisite stucco, and ancient frescoes. It is also home to the oldest casino in Germany, where Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky once tried his luck. It is said that the writer left all his savings here during his vacation in Wiesbaden. In memory of this event, the casino’s management still keeps the table where the Russian novelist played, and a bust of him has been installed under a 400-year-old tree that he could have seen from the window of the local hotel.
- Address: Kurhausplatz 1, 65189 Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany.
- Official website of the attraction: www.wiesbaden.de/microsite/kurhaus/index.php
Kurpark
An equally important attraction in Wiesbaden is the Spa Park, which was established in 1852. The park features a vast area designed in the style of an English landscape garden, with a variety of exotic flowers, shrubs, and trees. However, the highlight of the park is the pond with its large cascading fountain. In the evening, the fountain is illuminated with special lights, adding to its beauty. In recent years, the park has also become a venue for performances by international pop and rock music stars.
- Address: Parkstrasse, 65183 Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany
- You can learn more about Kurpark on the website www.wiesbaden.de.
St. Elizabeth’s Church
The Church of St. Elizabeth in Wiesbaden, located on the top of Mount Nero, is a harmonious architectural structure that combines elements of Russian and Byzantine architecture. The church is notable for its gilded domes, tall “kokoshniks” that adorn the roof, and ribbed domes topped with Orthodox crosses. The facades of the church are decorated with medallions featuring sculpted portraits of saints, arches, columns, and arabesque designs, as well as narrow and tall windows.
The interior decoration of the Russisch-Orthodoxe Kirche der Heiligen Elisabeth, which features rare marble, ancient frescoes, and unique icons painted on a golden background, also deserves attention. The church’s main pride is its ancient iconostasis, which was installed in the mid-19th century (immediately after its establishment).
Previously, the church had two identical entrances: one on the south side and the other on the west side. The western entrance, located opposite the altar, was reserved for ordinary parishioners, while the southern entrance, which offered a view of the city, was exclusively for noble individuals. In 1917, after the abdication of the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, the church was closed permanently. Today, St. Elizabeth’s Church is an active church of the Russian community in Wiesbaden, but services are held only during the summer.
- Church address: Christian-Spielmann-Weg 1, 65193 Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany
- Detailed information can be found on the official website — https://rok-wiesbaden.de/
Wilhelmstrasse
Wilhelmstrasse is not only the central boulevard of Wiesbaden, but also one of the richest and busiest streets in the city. One side of the boulevard is lined with house facades, while the other side is lined with the picturesque Warmer Damm Park, which is a popular spot for locals to relax. The main feature of Wilhelmstrasse is its abundance of boutiques, museums, villas, and concert and exhibition halls. It is also home to the Palace of the Crown Prince, which houses the Nassauer Hof Hotel, the Chamber of Commerce, and the Hessian State Theatre.
If you’re lucky enough to be in the city during the peak of the theater season, which takes place in mid-June, be sure to visit the annual festival with its traditional crayfish, potato pancakes, and German champagne, Sekt.
Marktkirke Church
Among the popular tourist attractions in Wiesbaden is the Marktkirche or Market Church. The neo-Gothic building, located on the Palace Square, was built for 10 years (from 1852 to 1862) and became not only the oldest, but also the tallest religious monument in the city.
Marktkirche impresses not only with its size, but also with its interior decoration. The vaulted ceiling is decorated with a pattern similar to the star-studded sky, in one of the naves of the church there is a statue of Jesus Christ made of snow-white marble, and sculptures of evangelists “lurk” in the choir. But the most important value of the Marktkirke is the organ installed shortly after its opening. It is thanks to this instrument, which consists of 6198 pipes, that the building of the Market Church began to hold annual music festivals.
Address: Marktplatz, 65183 Wiesbaden, Hesse, Germany.
Opening hours:
- Sun: from 14:00 to 17:00;
- Tue. – Fri.: from 14:00 to 18:00;
- Sat.: from 10:00 to 14:00.
You can find more information on the website www.marktkirche-wiesbaden.de/willkommen.
Zoological Garden
The Tier-und Pflanzenpark Fasanerie, located in the Stadtwald, the central city park, completes the list of attractions in Wiesbaden, Germany. Founded in 1995 with donations from local businessmen, the park houses over 250 animals belonging to 50 different species. These include wolves, bears, sheep, pheasants, otters, wild cats, deer, foxes, and other fauna. They have all adapted well to the local conditions, so they feel at home here.
It is also possible to see such rare and exotic plants as red oak, Spanish spruce, Robinia, ginkgo, old specimens of mountain ash, yew and horse chestnut. Currently, Fasanerie offers natural history tours, during which visitors can learn about the life of its inhabitants.
- Address: Wilfried-Ries-Strasse, 65195 Wiesbaden, Germany.
- Opening hours: Sunday to Saturday: 09:00 to 18:00 in summer and 09:00 to 17:00 in winter.
- Admission is free.
Where to stay?
The city of Wiesbaden in Germany offers a wide range of accommodation options. There are both luxurious hotels and budget-friendly hostels that provide everything necessary for short-term stays.
In terms of prices, renting an apartment costs between 58 and 170€, while a double room in a 3-star hotel costs between 60 and 300€.
Food
In Wiesbaden, you can find not only a large number of historical sites, but also a lot of cafes and restaurants, focused not only on local, but also on European cuisine. Some establishments have children’s menus.
Prices here are slightly higher than in other German cities, but the quality of food and service is fully commensurate with the stated price.
- A lunch or dinner for two at an inexpensive restaurant will cost 20-25€.
- in a mid-range restaurant offering a 3-course menu, it costs 45€,
- at a fast-food restaurant, it costs 8€.
Tip! Chicken, pork, and turkey are very good in Wiesbaden, and they are not only delicious but also cheap. As for alcohol, opt for wine.
How to get there from Frankfurt?
The nearest airport to Wiesbaden is located in nearby Frankfurt. There are several modes of transportation from Frankfurt to the famous German resort, but the most convenient one is the train. If you decide to use this method, follow these instructions:
- Take a bus from one of the terminals to Frankfurt Main Station (Frankfurt(Main)Hbf);
- Take a Deutsche Bahn train between these cities and arrive at Wiesbaden Central Station (Wiesbaden Hbf).
Trains run from 00:04 to 23:58, with a 10-15 minute interval. The journey time is 35-60 minutes.
Ticket price:
- Adult – 8.60€;
- Children’s 5.10€;
- Adult by train card – 6.45€;
- Children’s fare by train – 3.80€;
- Adult day card – 16.75€;
- Children’s day card – 9.95€;
- Group day ticket for 5 people – 28.90€;
- Hesse ticket fare is 36.00€.
Interesting facts
There are many interesting facts about the city of Wiesbaden in Germany. Here are just a few of them:
- The cuckoo clock, installed in 1946 at the entrance to a local souvenir shop, was considered the largest in the world at the time. It still hangs there today;
- The thermal springs of Wiesbaden, which were discovered during the Roman Empire, have always been in demand. Goethe, Elvis Presley, Otto von Bismarck, Yuri Gagarin, and other famous personalities have all received treatment here.
- History buffs should visit the Sudfriedhof Cemetery, where the grave of Manfred von Richthofen, the legendary World War I fighter pilot known as the Red Baron, is located.
- In 2015, Wiesbaden was one of the 15 richest cities in Germany.
- The water temperature in local mineral springs reaches a maximum of 66°C;
- At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Wiesbaden was known as the Northern Nice.
- In addition to the traditional municipal transport, you can see a small tourist steam train on the city streets, which can accommodate up to 50 people in its two cars. The “Thermine,” as this little train is called, departs from Marktplatz at 10 a.m. It takes a one-and-a-half-hour break at noon and then continues operating until 4:30 p.m. The ticket price is 4.50€.
Wiesbaden (Germany) is a resort where you can not only improve your health, but also have an exciting vacation.
