Mathildenhohe

About

Art-loving Grand Duke of Hesse established Mathildenhohe in 1899 after declaring that “My Hesse should flourish, and the art in Hesse too.” Over the next 16 years, 23 notable artists moved into the community, creating an ensemble showcasing the creativity and artistic renewal of the Art Nouveau movement. Mathildenhöhe’s streets and building themselves are works of art in their own right; most survived the Allied bombing raids and were repaired and/or restored to their former glory after the war. Many remain artistic and cultural institutions to this day, exhibiting design pieces from the early 20th century. The centerpiece is the Mathildenhöhe Darmstadt Institute, with its striking Wedding Tower (you can actually get married there!) adding to the already majestic main building and extensive gardens. It is an international multi-disciplinary museum of fine and applied art, and a Tentative UNESCO site.