Wiesbaden-Photos

Nice weather and colourful costumes - what else could a photographer wish? This is a shot from the carnival parade 2008.

Some impressions from the Russian graveyard on the Neroberg:

The Theatrium once started as a celebration of the renovated Wiesbaden state theatre, back in 1977. Since then it has grown into one of the most important events in the calendar of the city. There always are many street performances at the Theatrium, watching the clowns and acrobats is highly entertaining. This year, the all-encompassing theme is the concurrent FIFA Woldcup…

Of course, there are many food stalls, restaurants and cocktail bars. You have the choice between sushi Thai Curry, traditional German sausages , roast duck and many other specialties. This cocktail bar is a sort of venue of its own with posing bartenders and dansing waitresses adding a bit of Brazilian flair…

this was maybe the most saturated rainbow, I ever saw and it was only a few steps from my door! Fortunately, I had my small camera with me, - this lasted only for a very short time.

As I wrote earlier, Wiesbaden doesn’t have as much of a Carnival (or as it is called here: Fastnacht, Fasching or Karneval) tradition as some historically catholic cities such as Mainz (Mayence) or Köln (Cologne). But even here in the capital of protestant Hesse, the parade had more than 200 participating carnival associations. Here some photographic impressions:

traditionally, carnival starts on November 11 at 11:11. However, the real street carnival started last thursday and will reach its climax on Rosenmontag (Rose Monday) with huge parades in Mainz, Köln (Cologne) and Düsseldorf.

With respect to carnival, Wiesbaden doesn’t play in the same league as the somewhat smaller city of Mainz on the other side of the river Rhein, but there also is quite a big parade on Sunday and a nice children’s carnival on Saturday.

Today, there were many small events going on in the streets of Wiesbaden, for example this troop from Basle (Switzerland).

one of the musicians.

A Korean (?) music group…

very colourful costumes.

This colourful sculpture is about the “rights of children”.

Various buildings reflected in the wet granite of a small fountain. You can even see my camera…

The “Jagdschloss Platte” was constructed as a hunting-seat for duke Wilhelm of Nassau in 1824. It is situated in the Taunus mountains, in the woods towards the North of Wiesbaden. The palace was mostly destroyed in 1945 and is currently undergoing extensive restoration works.

A heron is looking for fish in the small pool in front of the Mosburg, Biebrich.

The lion appears in the coat of arms of the state of Hesse, of which Wiesbaden is the state capital.

Currently, the state parliamaent is undergoing major restauration works and what could be more appropriate than having children paint their interpretation of the state symbol on the surrounding fence?

Wiesbaden’s hot sources were already famous in Roman times. At the Kochbrunnen (”boiling well”), the water of 16 hot springs comes together.

Snow has fallen in the “Am Warmen Damm” park near the Wiesbaden theatre.

Currently, there are quite a few big building projects going on. The Mauritius-Square already has been rebuilt, but there are fresh building sites near the railway station, in the pedestrian precinct and behind the state parliament. Maybe the most controversial one is the rebuilding of the “bowling green” in front of the Kurhaus which you can see on the two pictures here: many old trees had to go to make the new underground car park possible…

ok, I played with the perspective in this one…

“leben” (”life”) A scuplture by Francè Rotar in the “Am warmen Damm” park in Wiesbaden.

The Boosenburg in Rüdesheim was built in the 10th century.

A vineyard in Kiedrich (Rheingau) seen in the evening fog. The Rheingau is famous for its “Riesling” white wine.

The Rheingau stretches from Hochheim (that’s where the “Hock” comes from) on the River Main to Lorch.
The “Rheingauer Weinwoche” (”Rheingau Wine Week”) in Wiesbaden, offers an opportunity to taste local wines from more than a hundred producers.

A statue by artist Birgid Helmy called the “frog queen” in reference to the fairy tale “the frog king” by the Grimm Brothers. This photo was taken on the same occasion as the other pictures of Biebrich in the fog.

in Wiesbaden itself, this building is usually known as the “Greek Chapel”. It was, however, built for Elisaveta Michailovna, the Russian wife of the grand Duke Adolf of Nassau.

So, although it is an orthodox church (church services are still regularly performed) it is actually a “Russian” rather than a Greek church. There is an interesting small Russian graveyard a few steps from the church.

Wiesbaden, Kurpark

The Marktkirche at night.

The Kurhaus seen across the pond behind it.

Located in the centre of Wiesbaden, right next to the state parliament and the city hall, the neo-gothic Marktkirche is Wiesbaden’s most important protestant church. Its central spire is 92 metres high.

one of the old fountains that have currently been stowed away while the “bowling green” in front of the Kurhaus is undergoing a facelift.

Aquis Mattiacis (”springs of the Mattiaci”) - the Roman name of Wiesbaden is inscribed on the “Kurhaus”. Here, you see the inscription reflected in the hood of a car parked outside the Kurhaus.

Actually, the place in front of the Kurhaus is currently being rebuilt and the unseemly parking lot will disappear in the process. So, shooting such reflections will be much more difficult in the future.

The Mosburg was actually built as a ruin - meant to be a decorative element in the huge gardens. Works anazingly well, especially in the fog!

Park bench in the “Schlosspark” Biebrich

The old town hall of Wiesbaden now houses the registration office. Built in 1610, this is the oldest building in Wiesbaden. On the right, you can see the the entrance to the state parliament of Hesse.

The train station of Wiesbaden is located somewhat outside the city proper. If you arrive here and have a bit of time (and no heavy luggage), you can walk through the park opposite the station towards the Wilhelmstraße. There are some nice gardens in the ” Reisinger-Anlagen” as well as a huge grassy space that is used for various events including the outdoor cinema performances held here each August. Here you see a rainbow over the trees of the Reisinger-Anlagen.

The “Kriegerdenkmal” (”Warrior’s monument”) dates back to 1909 and was the work of one “Franz Preitel” - not really a well-known artist. The monument marks the entrance to the beautiful “Nerotal” park named after the (in)famous Roman emperor.

This cave used to be quite famous but now has become all but forgotten. It used to be the hideout of a local poacher / outlaw who was caught at the cave in 1792.

There are quite a few stories about Leichtweiß (or Leichtweis).

A huge, cuddly bear welcoming visitors to the Wiesbaden Steiff shop.

The vivid autumn colours muted by thick fog.

While the Grand Ducal Palais itself was already finished in 1744, the park next to it was designed by Friedrich Ludwig von Sckell only in 1823. One of its attractions is a small castle, the Mosburg that was actually built as a ruin.

A somewhat unusual sight: a US military jeep is parked in the town hall of Wiesbaden!

This was part of the fascinating “Wiesbaden 1945-1948″ exposition.

basically the same scene as in “Fog in the Park” - only without the fog…

seen in the Walkmühltal

Thermine, a little “train” that does a highly recommended 1 hour tour of the city, but also can be booked for special events.

another view of Schierstein Harbour

The little street running next St Bonifatius, one of the most important catholic churches, is called the “Kirchenreulchen”, the explanation I heard for this peculiar name was that “reulchen” was meant to be a diminutive for “rue”, the French “street”, while the German “Kirche” means “church”.

This is the former main residence of the dukes of Nassau in Wiesbaden-Biebrich.

The stairway leading up to the entrance of the palace in Biebrich.

another view of the same stairway

The coat of arms of the state capital.

many yachts lie in the harbour at Wiesbaden Schierstein.

The old cemetery of Wiesbaden now serves as a playground and park, although some of the graves are still left.

Wiesbaden is famous for its hot springs. This is the one at the Kranzplatz.

The fountain here gets its colours from the minerals in the hot water running through it.

View of the fountain and the city hall on Wiesbaden’s “Marktplatz” (town Sqare).

The banks of the river Rhine, only a few hundred meters from the buzzing yacht harbor.

a very foggy day at the Grand Ducal Palais, only a few steps from the water of the river Rhine.

Bergkirche means “mountain church”. Actually, the “mountain” is just a little hill, but still the church has an elevated position when compared to its surroundings…

Fall colours reflected in a small pool in the Walkmühltal park.