Wiesbaden
"A poet's dream of a region..."
is how Heinrich von Kleist once described Wiesbaden and its charming environs along the Rhine River. The city received its descriptive name, literally "bathing in the fields" from the Franks in 829. Long before this group, though, the thermal waters were discovered by the Romans. They found these steaming pools had healing effects on them, and the ancient attraction still remains. It began to develop as a resort town in the early nineteenth century, and the European aristocracy came in droves.
The presence, prestige and influence of the cultural elite helped develop an extensive calendar of cultural events (many surviving to this day) and the magnificent structures built to house them. Casinos became popular in Wiesbaden to entertain the royalty, nobility and intellectual elite between dips in the baths and it quickly became one of the leading spa destinations in Europe.
The Heidenmauer (Heathens' Wall) is the city’s oldest structure from Roman times and is found next to the Römertor (Roman Gate). It was part of a Roman stronghold dating back to 240 - 260 A.D. built to ward off attacks from the Germanic tribes. The "Römertor" was built in 1902 with a covered wooden bridge. In the Römisches Freilichtmuseum (Roman Open-Air Museum), next to the "Römertor", there are copies of stone tablets found in Wiesbaden from the Roman era. In the Museum Wiesbaden (Wiesbaden Museum), an extensively renovated art collection and exhibit focuses on the “Roman Era and the Early Middle Ages.”
The Old Town, once encircled by a city wall, lends itself to strolls through its narrow, twisting alleys lined with houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries. Perhaps the most impressive area is the district around the “new” Kurhaus, the massive and magnificent Wilhelminian structure that opened in 1907. The neoclassical structure is awe-inspiring with its massive dome and rich adornments, also housing the ornate Casino. Try your luck at the famed casino, where roulette, blackjack and poker are the primary games of choice and visitors can tour or even take lessons.And, of course, you can’t leave Wiesbaden without experiencing the thermal baths as the Romans did. The Kaiser-Friedrich-Therme (Kaiser Friedrich Thermal Baths), erected in 1913, re-opened to the public in 1999 after extensive restorations. This historic thermal bath is heated by the "Adlerquelle" (Eagle Spring), a hot spring with a temperature of 66°C.
The "Lutherkirche" (Lutheran Church) was built from 1908-1910 according to the plans by church architect Friedrich Pützer and inaugurated in 1911. The basis for Pützer's plans was the "Wiesbadener Programm" (Wiesbaden program) - a Protestant church building program of the late 19th century. The Lutheran Church is a jewel of art nouveau, a monument of national importance, a theology of German Cultural Protestantism cast in stone. Perfectly simple in its outward appearance, the interior presents itself with extraordinary ornamentation in which well-known artists of the "Darmstädter Mathildenhöhe" (Darmstadt Artists Colony) were involved. 
The Russian-Orthodox Church is one of Wiesbaden's landmarks and plays an important role in the life of the city. Situated on Neroberg Mountain, the magnificent five golden cupolas of the church are visible from many places in Wiesbaden. From 1849 to 1855, Duke Adolf of Nassau had this memorial church erected to house the tomb of his deceased wife, Grand Duchess Elisabeth Michajlowna. The Russian Church is considered the most beautiful and in terms of its interior decorations, the most valuable sacred building in the city of Wiesbaden. The church, which has misleadingly come to be known as the "Greek Chapel" serves the Russian community in Wiesbaden today as their parish church.
At 245 meters, the Wiesbaden Neroberg (Neroberg Mountain) is a fairly small "mountain" - but it is an experience in itself. Besides promising lots of recreational fun with the "Opelbad" (open air pool), the "Walderlebnispfad" (forest adventure trail) and the "Kletterwald" (climbing forest), Neroberg Mountain offers above all a fabulous view of the city. Especially during the summer months the rich gastronomic offer makes it an oasis for those who are seeking relaxation. 
The Villa Clementine was built in 1882 in the Roman-Pompeian style for a factory owner and his wife, Clementine. It attracted public attention as the residence of Queen Natalie of Serbia, whose son Alexander was returned to his native country by force in 1888 during the legendary "Serbian Prince Kidnapping".
Today's Hessian State Parliament building was built in 1840 as a simple city palace in late classical style for William I., Duke of Nassau.
It was a popular family abode for the Prussian royal and due to a shortage of space, the palace was built right up to the adjacent buildings, and its size turned out to be relatively modest. In 1835, Duke William von Nassau engaged the Grand Duchy's Senior Building Director Georg Moller to plan the "Stadtschloss" (City Palace) but was unable to move in as he died in 1839. Instead, his son Adolf became the first and only continuously residing lord of the palace in 1841.
By order of Kaiser Wilhelm II, the "Hessisches Staatstheater" (Hessian State Theater) was built between 1892-1894 by Fellner and Helmer, two Viennese architects. The magnificent and majestic foyer in Rococo style was added in 1902. The theater auditorium in the Grand Hall is a revival of the Baroque style and has 1041 seats. The Little Hall has 328 seats and the "Studio" has 89.
The focal point of the Old Town is the "Schlossplatz" (Palace Square). A farmers' market is held here twice a week.
The "Marktbrunnen" (Market Fountain) stands between "Rathaus" (Town Hall) and the "Stadtschloss" (City Palace). Evidence of a fountain here goes back to the early 16th century, but it was destroyed during the Thirty Years' War and later restored. The fountain you see today was designed by J. Barger in 1753 and moved to its present location in 1767.
The "Erbprinzenpalais" (Palace for the Heir to the Throne), built in 1820 by Christian Zais, was given its name because it served as the residence of Prince William of Nassau-Weilburg.
The Classicist edifice was later used as an administration building. Since 1971, the palace has housed the "Industrie-und Handelskammer" (Chamber of Industry and Commerce).
The "Altstadt" (Old Town) of Wiesbaden, which used to be encircled by a city wall, sprawls between the streets of Webergasse, Langgasse and Kirchgasse, Friedrichstrasse and Wilhelmstrasse. Narrow, twisting alleys are lined with houses dating back to the 18th and 19th centuries.
Since 1888 the carriages have moved up and down the mountain with 7.3 kilometers per hour driven by water ballast and therefore carbon neutral. 