Visit Wiesbaden - Home of Many Mineral and Thermal Springs

Categories: Family and Kids, Sightseeing, Cultural and History, Dining

Luisenplatz in Wiesbaden with the Bonifatiuskirche in the background

[ source: Wikipedia]

One could only assume that the supreme geographic location of Wiesbaden (Wiesbaden vacation rentals | Wiesbaden travel guide) is what brought not only Neolithic settlements, but later on Roman occupancy in 6 A.D. The city is situated on the northern bank of the Rhine river, below the confluence of the Main. Off in the distance, to the north, lie the Taunus heights, to the south the Mosbacher Mountain, to the west the Schiersteiner Mountain, and to the east the Bierstadter Höhe. Along with commanding heights, as the ones mentioned, there are several streams that drain into the Salzbach within the city center. Wiesbaden is also home to many mineral and thermal springs in the spa district (the Kurhaus). The whole municipality of Wiesbaden covers an area of 204 square kilometers (127.5 sq. miles).

From the Neo-Gothic style Marktkirche (built between 1852 - 1862) and the old city hall (built in 1609), Wiesbaden is laced with Neoclassical antiquity. One of the loveliest buildings in town is the Kurhaus. It is a monumental spa house built at the request of Kaiser Wilhelm II between 1904 and 1907. Directly in front of the Kurhaus is the notable Kurhaus Kolonnade. At 129 meters long, it boasts the reputation of being the longest hall in Europe supported by pillars.

Take a day to relax! Wiesbaden has long been famous for its spas and thermal springs and is one of the oldest spa towns in Europe. If you are interested in wellness and history visit the Keiser-Freidrich Terme in the city center. The old spa is paneled with old roman frescoes and has four saunas, a swimming pool and whirlpools. The spas have been a staple in the city's culture for over 600 years and still are today. The name Wiesbaden literally means "meadow baths" and at one time was home to 27 hot springs with 15 of the springs still flowing today.

For one of the most beautiful panoramic views of Wiesbaden, take the Nerobergbahn up to the Nerotal Lookout. The Nerobergbahn is a water ballast funicular railway. It is the last and only water ballast funicular in Germany. At just three euro per adult it is certainly worth it.

If you happen to be in Wiesbaden at the end of November, it is highly recommended that you go the the Sternschnuppenmarkt (twinkling star market) located at the central Schlossplatz. This beautiful Christmas market is open until December 23rd and features 110 booths decorated in an oriental style with blue and gold accents everywhere. There are four gates decorated with the fleur-de-lis and an illuminated floral roof. In the center is a 28-meter Christmas tree decorated with 1,000 blue and golden ties, 2,500 electric bulbs and 30 flash bulbs. This would be the place to buy your family and friends Christmas gifts from the heart of the Hesse region!

With all of its history and modern marvels, Wiesbaden has a little something for every type of person and at any age. Taking the S-Bahn into the city from Frankfurt (Frankfurt vacation rentals | Frankfurt travel guide) is inexpensive (3.70 euro one way) and quick. We hope you enjoy your visit!

Location, Map, and Driving Directions

Related Links

About this Article

This travel guide has been written by Cynthia Kozak.

Cynthia Kozak is a freelance writer, editor and transcriptionist currently living abroad in her Vario truck. Boundlessly curious, she is an avid traveler always looking forward to the next destination.

More Germany Travel Related Articles

• Visit Wiesbaden - Home of Many Mineral and Thermal Springs
• Berlin Marathon – a Race through Germany’s Buzzing Capital
• Oktoberfest Beer Guide
• Travel in Trier Germany
• Lutherweg – Tracing Martin Luther’s Footsteps
• Preparing For Your Trip To Germany
• Leipzig, Trade Fair Calendar 2010
• Aachen Cathedral
• The English Garden, Munich’s green oasis with a unique Beer Garden culture
• The Wonders of the Goth Black Forest

Nearby Destinations Where You Can Find Nice Germany Vacation Rentals

Kaiserslautern

Kaiserslautern is a city in southwest Germany, located in the Bundesland (State) of Rhineland-Palatinate (Rheinland-Pfalz) at the edge of the Palatinate forest (Pfälzer Wald). The historic center dates to the 9th century and is within easy reach of…

Related: Kaiserslautern travel guide

Frankfurt

Frankfurt is the largest city in the state of Hesse, known for its futuristic skyline and international airport. A number of family outings make this an efficient, and unforgettable, vacation experience: Treat yourself to a spa-treatment at the nearby…

Related: Frankfurt travel guide

Koblenz

The history and sites of Koblenz, located where the Moselle flows into the Rhine, stretch back to Roman times. No visitor to Koblenz should skip a tour of the Saalburg—the most fully-reconstructed Roman fortress in Germany.

Related: Koblenz travel guide

Idar-Oberstein

Idar-Oberstein is a city in the Rhineland-Palatinate in Germany. It is The German Capital of Gemstone Industry. The city lies on the Nahe River, in the district of Birkenfeld. It is the largest city in the Hunsrück region of southwest Germany, and has…

Related: Idar-Oberstein travel guide

Darmstadt

Darmstadt is a city in the Bundesland (federal state) of Hesse in Germany, located in the southern part of the Rhine Main Area. The city of Darmstadt was founded by the Counts of Katzenelnbogen in 1330, though settlement in the area is known to have…

Related: Darmstadt travel guide

Browse Related Photos (Interactive Slideshow)

The pictures shown are part of our Live Like a German Travel Guide to Germany group on Flickr. If you have great Germany pictures please consider joining that group and sharing them on Flickr. If you tag them with Wiesbaden (and they got approved) they will also show up in the slide show above.

Feedback, comments, questions?

If you have visited here please share your experiences with our readers on Facebook. Or, if you have other cool trip suggestions and would like to contribute a travel guide here, please drop me an email. We also are encouraging free-lancers, travel guide writers or publishers who have great Germany related content to send us an email and get in touch with us.