Page 367 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Germany

WESTERN GERM AN Y  365

HESSE

Hesse lies in the very heart of present-day Germany. Scattered
over the region are reminders of its former glory: Roman
camps, Carolingian buildings, Romanesque churches and
Gothic cathedrals with lofty spires. Territorial partitions,
so typical of the former German Reich, brought about the
blossoming of art and architecture during the Renaissance
and the Baroque eras.

A post-World War II creation, the borders 20th century. Wiesbaden is the seat of
of this federal state roughly approximate Hesse’s state government, and Marburg
those of its 13th-century forerunner. is one of the best-known university
For most of its history, Hesse was towns. In the 16th century, at the times
divided between Hesse-Darmstadt of fierce religious feuds, the first
and Hesse-Kassel. Protestant university was built here.
Today, when admiring the distinctive The Church of St Elizabeth is one of the
panorama of Frankfurt am Main – its earliest examples of Gothic architecture
towering banks and skyscrapers more in the region. Lovers of modern art will
reminiscent of New York’s Manhattan know of Kassel – every five years it hosts
than of a European metropolis – it is the documenta, an exciting exhibition of
hard to believe that this was the artistic developments.
birthplace of Goethe. The importance Hesse has much more to offer. The
of this city extends far beyond Hesse: Waldecker Land, near Kassel, boasts the
it is the financial centre of the European Eder lake and attractive health resorts.
Union, and its annual Book Fair is the Eberbach in the picturesque Rheingau,
largest event of its kind in the world. the wine-growing area around Eltville, has
Darmstadt became famous as a centre a well-preserved former Cistercian abbey,
for Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) early in the which has been used as a film setting.

Park and Baroque Orangery of the palace complex in Fulda
The dramatic juxtaposition of old and new buildings in Frankfurt am Main

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