Wiesbaden

Introducing Wiesbaden

The capital of Hesse is an attractive spa town west of Frankfurt and a stone’s throw from Mainz, with a handful of historic attractions, luscious green parks to calm the weariest of urban eyes, and an attractive historic thermal bath. Wiesbaden has always lured the literary big game. Goethe spent time here in 1814, and Russian writers have swooned in over the centuries to gamble, experience the rich green shadows of this spa town, and depart with empty pockets. Dostoevsky messed himself up badly here in the 1860s (where didn’t he, though?) when he amassed huge debts at the city’s gambling tables. The Russians still come here, as do the wealthy, the ailing or simply the travelling. And for good reason – Wiesbaden has a lot of provincial charm for a state capital and is a nice respite from bustling Frankfurt.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009