Darmstadt, Scientific city in Hesse, Germany.
Darmstadt is a city in Hesse that spreads across 122 square kilometers (47 square miles) between the Odenwald plateau and the Rhine, functioning as a center for science and technology. The urban districts comprise research facilities, university buildings, residential neighborhoods from the 19th century, and modern business areas connected by green spaces and wide avenues.
A small settlement received its city charter in 1330 and became the residence of the Hesse-Darmstadt landgraves in 1479. Aerial bombardment during the Second World War destroyed much of the historic old town, leading to extensive rebuilding after 1945.
Students from the Technical University mingle with researchers and employees from international firms in the street cafés around Luisenplatz. Collections at the Hessian State Museum draw visitors from across Germany, while small galleries in the old town exhibit the work of local artists.
The city center is easy to explore on foot, with most scientific institutions and cultural sites accessible through well marked paths. Weekends are ideal for visiting museums and parks, as the research areas are less busy then.
A Russian Orthodox chapel, commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II, stands as a memorial to his wife Alexandra, who was born here. The European Space Operations Centre on the eastern side of town controls missions deep into the solar system and beyond.
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