Sightseeing in Wiesbaden

Kurhaus

For foreign visitors, the most interesting sight in Wiesbaden is the 1907 Kurhaus at Kurhausplatz 1. Constructed in a Belle Époque style, it has been restored to its former glory, including the over-the-top interior. It is a multipurpose building with event halls of various sizes, including a 1,350-seat theater with highly praised acoustics. It is possible to take a guided tour of the building or simply look around when the various halls are not in use.

The most famous part of the Kurhaus is used for the Spielbank (Casino). In Germany, most casinos enforce the rules and dress code seriously. In Wiesbaden at all hours men must wear a jacket and tie and women must be suitably dressed. Entry into the casino is €2.50 with no obligation to partake in the gambling. Photo identification is required and the minimum age is 18 years. Minimum bets range from €2 to €100, depending on the game and table. Spielbank Wiesbaden offers the highest roulette stakes in Germany: on a full number up to €1,000 can be bet and on black or red up to €50,000.

From the main entrance to the Kurhaus, a small park, sometimes referred to as the Bowling Green, flanked by two wide tree-lined boulevards, leads towards the grand hotel Nassauer Hof. More interesting than the park, however, are the two early 19th-century white colonnade buildings, at 129 m (423 feet) the longest in Europe. To the right is the Kurhauskollonade – it houses part of the casino where the stakes are smaller and the technology higher. Here, 170 different slot machines can be played with 50 cents the minimum stake. The maximum payout is €20,000, except for the Super Jackpot, which can exceed €100,000.

Theaterkollonade

On the other side of the park is the Theaterkollonade. It is attached to the rear of the Hesse State Theater and houses several top-line shops. In front of the theater is a statue of Friedrich Schiller facing the Warmer Damm Park. The unfenced park is well-kept, with rolling lawns, high trees, and a large pond with water birds. On the one side, it borders Wilhelmstraße, Wiesbaden’s most fashionable street, lined with exclusive boutiques and a number of luxury restaurants and hotels. The large Kurpark behind the Kurhaus is Wiesabaden’s most beautiful park and a joy to stroll in.

Old Town Wiesbaden

Most of the Old Town is a huge pedestrian zone shopping district. At the south end, it starts from the Marktplatz with the 1884 Neo-Renaissance Rathaus. This was damaged during World War II and rebuilt in a simpler form. Behind it is the Stadtschloss, since 1946 seat of the Parliament of Hesse (Hessischer Landstag).

The old town skyline is dominated by the 92-m (300-foot) tower of the Evangelical Marktkirche, Schlossplatz 4. Built in 1853-62 in a Neo-Gothic style, this was the first brick building in the duchy of Nassau. The 50-m (165-foot) interior is decorated with classical statues. Half-hour organ recitals are offered Saturdays.

The hot-water spring at the Kochbrunnen, Am Kranzplatz, has been known since at least 1366. This health water is high in sodium chloride and comes to the surface at 66°C/150°F. Nearby is the Kaiser Friedrich Therme, an expensive Roman-Irish spa.