INFORMATION FOR GSI-GUESTS - GSI Webserver WWW-WIN

INFORMATION FOR GSI-GUESTS 

Translation: Heide Rinnert, July 2002 

Last update: October. 2007 

Copyright © 1998 by D.Rehfeld, GSI Darmstadt 

Gesellschaft für Schwerionenforschung mbH 

Planckstraße 1 

64291 Darmstadt 

Tel: +49-6159-71-0 

Fax: +49-6159-71-2785

Contents 

1. LOCATION ................................................................................................................................... 3 

1.1 How to get to GSI................................................................................................................... 4 

1.2 Departure from GSI / Wixhausen........................................................................................... 6 

1.3 Public Transportation – how it works ..................................................................................... 7 

1.4 Rhein-Main-Airport Frankfurt.................................................................................................. 9 

2. GSI – INTERNAL........................................................................................................................ 11 

2.1 Organization Overview......................................................................................................... 11 

2.2 Important Telephone Numbers ............................................................................................ 12 

2.3 Applications.......................................................................................................................... 13 

2.4 Holidays ............................................................................................................................... 14 

2.5 Canteen and Coffee Shop ................................................................................................... 14 

2.6 Using the Telephone System............................................................................................... 14 

2.7 Accidents / Illness – procedure at GSI................................................................................. 15 

3. ACCOMMODATION.................................................................................................................. 16 

3.1 Accommodation at GSI ........................................................................................................ 16 

3.2 Hotels in the Vicinity............................................................................................................. 16 

3.3 Private Apartments............................................................................................................... 17 

3.4 "Mitwohnzentrale” and Flat-sharing ..................................................................................... 17 

4. LIFE & WORK – WHERE TO FIND WHAT............................................................................... 18 

4.1 Authorities in Darmstadt....................................................................................................... 18 

4.2 Various Institutions............................................................................................................... 18 

4.3 Embassies / Consulates ...................................................................................................... 19 

4.4 Medical Services.................................................................................................................. 19 

4.5 Insurances ........................................................................................................................... 21 

4.6 Finances .............................................................................................................................. 21 

4.7 Language Classes ............................................................................................................... 22 

4.8 Tourist Information & Travelling ........................................................................................... 23 

4.9 Entertainment....................................................................................................................... 23 

4.10 Sports................................................................................................................................. 25 

4.11 Shopping............................................................................................................................ 26 

4.12 Restaurants & Takeaways ................................................................................................. 27 

4.13 Media ................................................................................................................................. 28 

4.14 Phone Calls........................................................................................................................ 29 

4.14 Mail .................................................................................................................................... 29 

5. DARMSTADT INFO.................................................................................................................... 30 

5.1 Facts .................................................................................................................................... 30 

5.2 Recreation Areas, Parks, & Gardens................................................................................... 30 

5.3 Sights ................................................................................................................................... 31 

5.4 Museums ............................................................................................................................. 34 

Note: 

We do not guarantee that the information given in the text is still valid. 

Fares and connections as of February 2007. 

If you have any suggestions or critics, please contact: Brigitta Schausten, b.schausten@gsi.de 

Sources: 

Baedekers Darmstadt, Karl Baedeker GmbH, Edition 1994 

Timetable RMV for Darmstadt, Darmstadt-Dieburg, Edition 2006 & www.rmv.de 

www.bahn.de 

web-site 'Stadt Darmstadt' (www.darmstadt.de) 

www.teleauskunft.de; www.wikipedia.org 

Other sources see text 

2

1. LOCATION 

� � � � � 

GSI is located outside the center of Darmstadt in Wixhausen, a suburb with 5700 inhabitants. 

Public transportation possibilities (train and bus) to Darmstadt and Frankfurt are good. It is a 

30 minute walk from Wixhausen train station to GSI, and to the guesthouses "Steinhaus" and 

"Frame house" at "Messeler-Park-Strasse 121" it takes 20 minutes. From the bus-stop at 

B3 (= Bundesstraße 3) “Brucknerstrasse“ it is a 15 minute walk to GSI and a 5 minute walk to 

"Steinhaus" and "Frame house". 

Town/suburb Abbreviation 

in the text 

prefix - 

area code 

Arheilgen AH 06151 

Darmstadt DA 06151 

Erzhausen ER 06150 

Frankfurt FFM 069 

Kranichstein KR 06151 

GSI GSI 06159 (Messel) 

Weiterstadt WS 06150 / 06151 

Wixhausen WX 06150 

3

1.1 How to get to GSI 

By car 

• Coming from the West/"Frankfurt Airport": 

From Highway intersection "Frankfurter Kreuz": 

Take highway A3 with direction "Würzburg" until you reach highway intersection "Offenbacher 

Kreuz" 

Change to highway A661 with direction "Egelsbach" until the highway ends 

Turn left at the traffic lights onto B3 with direction "Darmstadt" 

In Wixhausen turn left at the first traffic light (Messeler-Park-Strasse) 

After about 1km you reach GSI 

• Coming from the North: 

From Highway intersection "Bad Homburger Kreuz": 

Take A661 with direction "Offenbach/Egelsbach" until the highway ends 


In Wixhausen turn left at the first traffic light (Messeler-Park-Strasse) 


• Coming from the East: 

From Highway intersection "Offenbacher Kreuz": 

Take A661 with direction "Egelsbach" until the highway ends 


In Wixhausen turn left at the first traffic light (Messeler-Park-Strasse). After about 1km you reach 

GSI 

• Coming from the South: 

From Highway intersection "Darmstädter Kreuz": 

Take A5 with direction "Frankfurt" 

Leave the highway at the exit "Weiterstadt" 

Turn left at the traffic light onto B42 with direction "Darmstadt" 

Turn left at the second traffic light onto B3 with direction "Frankfurt" 

Stay on B3 for approx. 8 kilometers 

Turn right at the traffic light with direction Wixhausen-Industriegebiet (Messeler-Park-Strasse). 


• Darmstadt City Center: 

Take B3 to the north of Darmstadt with direction "Frankfurt" 

Turn right at the traffic light with direction "Wixhausen-Industriegebiet" (Messeler-Park-Strasse). 


For a map, see www.gsi.de/informationen/users/verkehr/anreise-auto_e.html 

By public transport 

• From main train station Darmstadt: 

Take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 at "Gleis" (track) 3 with direction 

"Bad Soden/Kronberg" 

Get off at "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" (2 stops) 

Walk in eastward direction on "Messeler-Park-Strasse" straight on to GSI (25-35 min) 

Charge for the ticket: € 1.85. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket machine (see below) 

• departures: 

4 

Mo – Sa: • from 4:41 to 22:41 every ½ h • from 22:41 to 4:41 every h 

Su: • from 13:05 to 22:35 every ½ h • from 22:35 to 13:05 every h

Important information for guests using tram and bus Darmstadt � GSI: 

The Darmstadt-Arheilgen tramline 7/8 will be enlarged up to the northern local end. Therefore longterm 

changes are necessary for the tramlines and the bus lines. For this reason the tramline 7/8 

ends at "Gleisschleife Merck" (before: "Arheilgen-Hofgasse"). For direction Wixhausen change to 

bus 'WX' or 662 and leave at stop e.g. 'Brucknerstraße' (WX) or 'Messeler-Park-Straße' (662). For 

direction Arheilgen change to bus 'WX' or 'A'. The express tramline 6 (coming from Eberstadt / 

Luisenplatz) ends also at "Gleisschleife Merck" (status Oct. 2007). 

See also www.rmv.de 

• Darmstadt City Center: 

Take tramway 7/8 with direction "Arheilgen" 

Get off at terminal stop "Gleisschleife Merck" 

Change to bus WX or bus 662 

Get off at "Messeler-Park-Strasse/Brucknerstrasse" 


Charge for the ticket: € 1.85. Tickets may be purchased at the ticket machine (see below; pay 

only once!). 

• From main train station Frankfurt: 

From “Gleis” (track) 101 or 102 in the underground section take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 

with direction "Darmstadt" 




only once!). 

• From Frankfurt Airport: 

• Departure from bus terminal at Terminal 1, bus stop 18, with bus ”OF-64” with direction 

"Dreieich-Offenthal Mainzer Straße" to bus stop ”Dreieich-Buchschlag” (train station). Change 

to S-Bahn (regional train) ”S3/S4” with destination "Darmstadt" and exit at the stop” Darmstadt- 

Wixhausen”. 

Walk in eastward direction on Messeler-Park-Strasse straight on to GSI (25-35 min). Charge for 

the ticket: € 3.55.Tickets may be purchased on the bus (pay only once!). 

or 

• Take S-Bahn (regional train) S8/S9 with direction "Hanau Hbf" 

Get off at "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof"f (3 stops) 

Change to S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 with direction "Darmstadt" 


Walk in eastward direction on Messeler-Park-Strasse straight on to GSI (25-35 min) 


only once!). 

or 

• Departure from bus terminal at Terminal 1, Arrival B, Entrance 4-5 (near Meeting Point) bus 

stop 14, or Terminal 2 by bus “Airliner” to Darmstadt and exit at "Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof" 

(main station). Continue from the main station with “S-Bahn“ (see above). 

Charge for the ticket: min. € 6.85.Tickets may be purchased on the bus. 

For more information see www.heagmobibus.de/download/pdf/Airliner2007.pdf 

For a map see www.gsi.de/informationen/users/verkehr/anreise-bahn_e.html 

By taxi 

From main train station Darmstadt: 

• app. € 15 – 18 

• traveling time: app. 20 min 

5

From main train station Frankfurt am Main: 

• approx. € 40 

• traveling time: 30-40 min 

From Frankfurt Airport: • approx. € 40 

• traveling time: 40 min 

• Special rates for GSI guests to/from train stations or the airport : 

Taxi company TOP-Transfer, � 06150-86066, e-mail: toptransfer@gsi.de 

(to Darmstadt main station: € 12; to the airport: € 23) 

• meeting points at the airport: 

• terminal 1: Exit B6 (arrival) 

• terminal 2: Exit E9 (departure) 

• see also p1.4 "Rhein-Main-Airport Frankfurt" 

1.2 Departure from GSI / Wixhausen 

By taxi 

• see above p. 1.1 

By public transport 

• To main train station Darmstadt: 

Take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 at station "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" with direction "Darmstadt" 

Get off at "Darmstadt Hauptbahnhof" (main station) 


• To the center of Darmstadt: 

Take bus WX or bus 662 at stop "Messeler-Park-Strasse/B3" 

Get off at stop "Gleisschleife Merck" 

Take tramway 7/8 or 6 with direction "Eberstadt/Frankenstein" or "Alsbach" 

Get off at e.g. "Luisenplatz" 

Charge for the ticket: € 1.85. Tickets may be purchased at the bus (see below; pay only once!). 

• To main train station Frankfurt am Main: 

Take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 at station "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" with direction 


Get off at "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof" (main station) 


• Departures from Wixhausen: 

Mo – Sa: • from 4:41 to 22:41 every ½ h • from 22:41 to 4:41 every h 

Su: • from 13:11 to 22:41 every ½ h • from 22:41 to 1 every h 

• To Frankfurt Airport: 

• Take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 at station "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" with direction 


Get off at ”Dreieich-Buchschlag” and change to bus ”OF-64” with direction 

"Flughafen Terminal 1" 

Get off at "Hugo-Eckener-Ring" (for terminal 2) or "Terminal 1" 

Charge for the ticket: € 3.35.Tickets may be purchased on the bus (pay only once!). 

or 

• Take S-Bahn S3/S4 at station "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" with direction 


Get off at "Frankfurt Hauptbahnhof" 

Take S-Bahn S8/S9 with direction "Wiesbaden Hauptbahnhof " 

Get off at "Flughafen Regionalbahnhof" 

6


only once!). 

or 

Take S-Bahn (regional train) S3/S4 at station "Darmstadt-Wixhausen" with direction 

"Darmstadt" 

Change to bus “Airliner” and get off at the stop "Terminal 1" or " Terminal 2" 

Charge for the Airliner-ticket: min. € 7.05.Tickets may be purchased on the bus. 

For more information, see www.heagmobibus.de/download/pdf/Airliner2007.pdf 

1.3 Public Transportation – how it works 

In the Rhein-Main-area public transportation companies (e.g. German Railway, HEAG Darmstadt) 

are pooled in the so called "RMV" (= Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund). 

Tickets may be purchased at the automatic ticket machines set up at many stops and busses. 

Schedules are available at the HEAG-Center at Luisenplatz. 

For further information contact: 

HEAG, Luisenplatz 3, Darmstadt, � 06151-709-4115; www.heagmobilo.de/ 

RMV, Hotline: � 0180-7684636; www.rmv.de. 

The following prices and connections are as of February 2007. 

• Prices for bus and S-Bahn 

• from WX to DA: one-way ticket: € 1.85 

weekly season ticket: € 15.40 

• within Darmstadt: one-way ticket: € 1.40 

• from WX to FFM: one-way ticket: € 6.60 (from Erzhausen only € 3.55 !) 

1-day ticket: € 13.20 

monthly season ticket: € 142.20 

• “HEAG” tram lines 

Tram 1 Eberstadt/Frankenstein ↔ Rhein-/Neckarstr. ↔ main station DA 

Tram 2 Böllenfalltor ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ main station DA 

Tram 3 Lichtenbergschule ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ main station DA 

Tram 4 Kranichstein station ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ Griesheim/Platz Bar-Le-Duc 

Tram 5 Kranichstein station ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ main station DA 

Tram 6 Eberstadt/Frankenstein ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ Gleisschleife Merck (express line) 

Tram 7 Eberstadt/Frankenstein ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ Arheilgen/Gleisschleife Merck 

Tram 8 Alsbach ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ Arheilgen/Gleisschleife Merck 

Tram 8N Eberstadt/Frankenstein ↔ Seeheim/Jugenheim ↔ Alsbach-Hähnlein 

Tram 9 Griesheim/Platz Bar-Le-Duc ↔ Luisenplatz ↔ Böllenfalltor 

• ”HEAG“ bus lines (selection) 

Bus A Arheilgen station ↔ Arheilgen/Gleisschleife Merck ↔ Arheilgen/Steinstraße 

Bus AH Arheilgen/Kornweg ↔ Arheilgen/Im Fiedlersee ↔ Arheilgen/Fritz-Meister-Platz 

Bus F DA Haasstrasse ↔ DA main station/west ↔ DA Luisenplatz ↔ Oberwaldhaus 

Bus H DA Ernst-Ludwig-Park ↔ DA Luisenplatz ↔ Kranichstein/Kesselhuthweg 

Bus K DA Kleyerstrasse ↔ DA main station ↔ DA Luisenplatz ↔ DA TU Lichtwiese 

Bus L DA east station ↔ DA Luisenplatz ↔ DA Klinikum ↔ DA Heinheimer Strasse 

Bus NB Eberstadt tram 7/8 ↔ baths Eberstadt ↔ Nieder-Beerbach 

Bus NE DA Böllenfalltor ↔ Nieder-Ramstadt ↔ Neutsch/Eberstadt tram 7/8 

Bus P Eberstadt ↔ Pfungstadt 

Bus R DA Böllenfalltor ↔ DA south station ↔ DA main station ↔ DA north station 

Bus U Urberach ↔ Messel ↔ Kranichstein Siemensstraße (station / tram 4/5) 

Bus W DA Pupinweg ↔ DA main station/west side ↔ DA main station/east side 

Bus WX Arheilgen/Gleisschleife Merck ↔ Wixhausen station ↔ WX Brückengasse 

7

Air-Liner Darmstadt main station ↔ Hotel Maritim ↔ Frankfurt/airport Terminal 1 + 2 

'Rufbus' On the WX line (see special note below) 

• Regional bus lines (selection) 

Bus OF-64 Dreieich-Buchschlag station ↔ Frankfurt/airport Terminal 1 

Bus OF-65 Dreieich-Buchschlag station ↔ Langen Waldsee (recreation area with lake) 

Bus 900 (Obertshausen station) ↔ Neu-Isenburg station/west ↔ Frankfurt/airport Ter. 1 

Bus 662 Arheilgen/Gleisschleife Merck ↔ Arheilgen station/west side ↔ Wixhausen B3 

↔ Egelsbach/Boschring/Toom- Market ↔ Neu-Isenburg station/east side 

Bus 5514 DA Mathildenplatz ↔ Gräfenhausen ↔ Frankfurt/airport Terminal 1 + 2 

Bus n71 Frankfurt/Konstablerwache ↔ Langen ↔ Wixhausen ↔ Arheilgen ↔ 

Darmstadt/Luisenplatz (night bus; only weekend) 

• “Rufbus” (call a bus) 

During the construction work in Arheilgen (see 'Important information..' on page 5) the 

"Rufbus"-stops are closed ! 

• Regional train lines (from DA main station) 

Train S3/S4 DA main station ↔ Arheilgen ↔ Wixhausen ↔ Erzhausen ↔ Langen ↔ 

Frankfurt main station ↔ Bad Soden/Kronberg 

Train 60 Heidelberg/Mannheim ↔ DA main station ↔ Langen ↔ Frankfurt main station 

Train 63 DA ↔ Dieburg ↔ Babenhausen ↔ Aschaffenburg 

Train 65 Eberbach ↔ Erbach ↔ Wiebelsbach-Heubach ↔ DA main station / DA north 

station ↔ Frankfurt main station 

Train 75 Wiesbaden main station ↔ Mainz main station ↔ DA main station 

• How to use the ticket machines (for tickets inside the 'RMV'-area) 

Not always available: 

For trips to Darmstadt center directly press the 

express key ”Darmstadt-Mitte“. 

Correspondingly, for returning to Wixhausen, 

directly press express key “Arheilgen, 

Kranichstein, Wixhausen“(4). 

• Rent a Car 

Rent-day minimum app. € 22, weekend rate minimum app. € 50. 

Older cars € 17/day (Ahrens) 

8 

• On the display (1) you can read the operating 

directions - you can choose different languages. 

• Please select your destination from the directory 

(2) (e.g. 50 for Frankfurt). 

• Use the 10-digit keypad (3) to enter the 2 or 4 

digit destination number listed to the left of the 

destination. 

• Order a ticket (e.g. one-way tickets, day tickets, 

group tickets) (4). The left column is for adult 

tickets and the right one for children´s. 

• Check the details on the display (1) (destination 

number, selected ticket) and pay the amount 

which is displayed. 

• The machines will accept payment in coins (5), 

money card (6) and banknotes (7) (the last two 

possibilities not always available). The screen (1) 

will display the banknotes accepted. This will 

depend on the fare amount and the change 

available. 

• Take your ticket and any change from the tray (8).

• Car rentals 

• Avis, Otto-Röhm-Str. 81, DA � 06151-896777 

• Budget, Sensfelderweg 26, DA � 06151-898483 

• Europcar, Otto-Röhm-Str. 53, DA � 06151-98890 

• National/Alamo; Gräfenhäuser Str. 91 & main station (service point), DA � 06151-667400, 

www.national.de/deweb/ 

• Sixt, Robert-Bosch-Str. 8, WS � 06151-896027 

• Ahrens, Wilhelm-Leuschner-Str. 270, Griesheim, � 06155-62046 

• Taxi 

• Basic rate: ~ € 2 

• rate/km ~ € 1.40 

• Top-Transfer, � 06150-86066 (fixed price to DA-City for GSI guests), 

e-mail: toptransfer@gsi.de 

• Taxi agency for the Darmstadt area, � 06151-19410 

• Bicycles 

• For information about renting a bike at GSI contact the “Gästebüro” – guest office (� 2625) 

• Commercial bike rental: Fahrrad-Verleih Darmstadt, � 0160 2203772; app. 7,50 €/day 

at the 

• Fahrradstation Darmstadt (a parking garage for bicycles), Am Fürstenbahnhof 5 (between 

'Restaurant Fürstenbahnhof' and main station), DA � 06151-2203772, 

www.fahrradstation-darmstadt.de 

1.4 Rhein-Main-Airport Frankfurt 

www.frankfurt-airport.com/ 

• Siteplan Rhein-Main-Airport 

The train stations (“Bahnhof”) are located in the basement, and the bus terminal can be found 

opposite the arrival area of Terminal 1. 

Communication Center: 

information about the airport 

& flight information 

from within Germany: 

� 01805-FRAINFO (=01805-37 24 636) 

from abroad: 

� +49-(0)69-690-0 

9

10 

Lost and found: Terminal 1, Area B, Level 1 (Arrivals) 

Opening hours: 08:00 - 18:00 hrs every day 

� +49 (0) 69 - 690 66359 (only answering machine!) 

Fax: +49 (0) 69 - 690 54081 

Lost baggage: Terminal 1, Areas A-C, Level 1 (Arrivals) 

Terminal 2, Areas D-E, Level 2 (Arrivals) 

Opening hours: 07:00 - 20:00 hrs every day 

� +49 (0) 69 690-71001 

Airline Terminal 

Hall Counter 

� Info 

Reservation 

Aeroflot 1B 618 069-694838 

Air France 2D 801-806 0180-5830830 

Alitalia 1B 658-661 069-69505-0 

American Airlines 1C 734-739 0180-3242324 

756-758 

ANA All Nippon Airways 1B 326-331 069-695010-0 

British Airways 2E 901-920 0180-5266522 

Continental Airlines 2E 963-968 0180-3212610 

Delta Airlines 2D 841-856 0180-3337880 

069-50070247 

Iberia 2E 901-920 0180-3000613 

LOT 1A-B 51-278 LH 0180-3000336 

0180-3000346 (pol.) 

Lufthansa 1A-B 51-278 0180-5838426 

SAS 1A-B 51-278 LH 0180-3234023 or LH 

Swiss 2D 863-864 0180-3000337 

United Airlines 1B 495-498 

501-506 

069-50070387 

069-60502-102

2. GSI – INTERNAL 

� � � � � 

2.1 Organization Overview 

WR - Scientific Council 

Chair: R. Klanner 

WA - Scientific Committee 

Chair: 

S. Richter (-2344) 

General Programme Advisory 

Committee 

Chair: J. Aichelin 

FAIR Project Coordination 

H.Gutbrod (-2458) 

Scientific Coordination 

K.D. Gross (-2535) 

Public Relations 

I. Peter (-2598) 

Web Administration 

U. Meyer (-2525) 

Safety and Radiation Protection 

G. Fehrenbac her (-2007) 

Research 

K. Langanke 

(-2747) 

Scientific- 

Technical 

Infrastructure 

B. Schönfelder 

(-1427) 

Shareholders' 

Assembly 

Federal Government/State of 

Hessen 

Supervisory Board 

Chair: Dr. Beatrix Vierkorn-Rudolph 

Vice Chair: MinDirigent 

Dr. Rolf Bernhardt 

Managing Directors 

H. Stöcker 

A. Kurz 

Scientific Directorate 

H. Stöcker (Chair), 

A. Kurz, 

H. Eickhoff, 

K. Langanke, 

B. Schönfelder 

Accelerator 

H. Eickhoff 

(-2395) 

FAIR 

D. Krämer 

(-2096) 

Controlling 

J. Heilmann (-2621) 

Legal Service 

A. Lambert (-2132) 

Patents and Technology 

Transfer 

D. Rück (-2630) 

Works Council 

Chairman: 

A. Schlossarek (-2503) 

Equal Opportunity Committee 

Chair: 

C. Will (-2852) 

Representation of the 

Disabled 

Man of confidence: 

T. Schmid (-2568) 

Data protection 

S. Schulz (-2855) 

Administration 

A. Kurz 

(-2646) 

11

2.2 Important Telephone Numbers 

Department Offices 

• Accelerator Physics 

Waltraud Stork, room BR3 2.167c, � 2396 and 2393 

• Accelerator Projects 

Erika Ditter, room BR1 3.015, � 2160 

• Accelerator Techniques 

Annette Mattil, room BR2 2.153, � 2384 

• Administrative Management Board 

Sabine Shaw, room SB1 4.122, � 2392 

Angelika Stork, room SB1 4.121, � 2646/2647 

• Atomic Physics 

Stefanie Lüttges, room SB3 2.301, � 2721 

• Biophysics 

Angela Phalen-Weiss, room SB2 3.139, � 2139 

• Facilities and Plant Engineering 

Doris Ossot, room SB2 4.106a, � 2526 

• FAIR Technical Devison 

Brigitte Azzara, room C26 2.007, � 1490 

Paola Karampougiouki, room C26 2.007, � 1550 

• FAIR Joint Core Team 

Sonja Hofmann, room C24 2.004, � 2916 

Annette Zimbelius, room C24 2.016, � 1581 

• Hadron and Nuclear Physics (KKS) 

Dagmar Hallstein-Fischer, room SB2 4.130, � 2624 and 2628 

• IT & EE 

Gabriele Kunz, room SB2 2.263, � 2527 

• Material Science 

Sabine Seubert, room SB1 1.202b � 2632 

• Nuclear Physics I 

Sandra Schecker, room 4.171, � 2761/2760 

• Nuclear Physics II, Heavy Elements 

Siglind Raiß, room SE 2.186, � 2412 

Tatjana Litvinova, room SE 2.186, � 2127 

• Nuclear Physics III 

Anja Meergans, room SB3 4.172, � 2762 

• Nuclear Reactions 

Marina Varentsova, room SB3 3.194, � 2738 

• Plasma Physics 

Brigitte Schuster, room C12 1.006, � 2694 

• Purchasing 

Anita Braun-Fritze, room HB 1.001, � 2576 

• Safety & Radiation protection Dept. 

Doris Schmalz, room SB3 1.264, � 2705 

• Scientific Coordination and Public Relations 

Regina von Hertling, room SB1 4.123, � 2623 

• Scientific Management Board 

Silke Bergelt-Brückner, room SB1 4.123, � 2648/2649 

• Scientific & Technical Infrastructure 

Karin Schnoor, room SB2 4.106a, � 2335 

• Staff Department 

Karin Klaner, room SB2 2.234, � 2602 

Folkert Schneider, room SB2 2.234, � 2600 

12

• Theory 

Heide Rinnert, room SB3 3.175, � 2746/2747 

• Works Council 

Heike Erb, room SB1 2.224b, � 2626 

• Guest-office 

Christine Haste, room SB1 1.202b � 2625 

• Keys 

Steve Schiffer, room SB1 1.202b � 2347 

• Library & Documentation 

Manuela Anton, room SB2 3.112a, � 2049 

Andrea Dietz, room SB2 3.112a, � 2050 

Regina Montay-Bettermann, room SB2 3.112a, � 2050 

• Physician 

Dr. med. Angelika Mercier-Rosenbaum, room BR3 1.156, � 2333, 2444 

Giovanna Monzo (Ass.), room BR3 1.155, � 2444 

(accessible only at specific times) 

• Safety Officers 

Dorothea Plazura-Olszowski, Andreas Niermeyer, room SB3 1.263 � 2700 

• Radiation Protection 

Dr. Georg Fehrenbacher, � 2007/2471 

• Guesthouse 

Lobby: � 2950 

TV-Room: � 2949 

Guestrooms: phone number = 2950 + room-number (e.g. room 18 = Tel. 2950 + 18 = 2968) 

• Old guesthouse (“Frame house”) 

Kitchen/Western wing, � 06150-975124 

Kitchen/Northern wing, � 06150-975122 

• "Steinhaus" 

Central telephone, 2. floor � 06150- 975113 

⇒ For more information, see p. 3 "ACCOMODATION" 

2.3 Applications 

• Applying for a user-account 

Use form “Application form for a user-account“ (� www-aix.gsi.de/accounts or department 

secretariat). Please return the completed (paper-)form to the 'Computing and Experiment 

Electronics' department. 

• Phonebook registration 

Use form “Meldung zum Telefonverzeichnis“. Please return the completed (paper-)form to the 

'Computing and Experiment Electronics' department. 

(� www.gsi.de/informationen/wti/it/info/tel_formular_e.html or department secretariat). 

• Applying for a key 

Use form “Antrag auf Schlüsselausgabe“(� department secretariat). Return filled out form to 

Steve Schiffer, room SB1 1.202b � 2347 

• GSI-ID Cards 

• Short-term guests and/or guests without contract: 

From your department's secretary you will get a GSI-ID Card, which is required to enter GSI 

on weekends or at night. Additionally you need your passport or identity card. Room keys for 

one of our guesthouses (“Frame house” or “Gästehaus”) may also be used for identification. 

13

• Long-term guests and/or guests with a contract: 

Please contact Ms Gabi Otto, room SB2 2.218, � 2537 

2.4 Holidays 

• January: New Year's Day (01.01.) 

• March/April: Good Friday (“Karfreitag”), Easter Monday (“ Ostermontag”) 

• May/June: Labor Day (“Tag der Arbeit”- 01.05.), Ascension Day (“Himmelfahrt”), 

Whit-Monday (“Pfingstmontag”), Corpus Christi Day (“Fronleichnam”) 

• October: National holiday (“Tag der deutschen Einheit” - 03.10.) 

• December: Christmas (“Weihnachten" - 25.12.-26.12.) 

• From December 25 to January 1, GSI is closed 

2.5 Canteen and Coffee Shop 

The canteen is situated at the western end of the south building, 1 st floor. Combined dishes cost 

app. € 3. There is a possibility to combine different side dishes. Such a dish will be put on a scale 

and paid according to its weight. For university students meal vouchers (discount of € 1.12/meal) 

are available at the personnel department (“Personalbteilung”) upon presentation of a 

German/international student-ID. 

A coffee shop is located in the GSI entrance hall, and, like the canteen, it is open Monday through 

Friday. 

Opening hours canteen: 08:00 – 11:00 

11:30 – 13:30 

14:30 – 20:00 

Opening hours coffee shop: 11:30 – 14:30 

2.6 Using the Telephone System 

The GSI operator can be reached from the public telephone network by dialing 

• 71-0 (local area, Messel, not Darmstadt (!)) 

• 06159-71-0 (Germany) or 

• xx49-6159-71-0 (worldwide) 

The operator connects you with the requested extension. By dialing the desired extension, number 

instead of zero you can reach the GSI extensions directly. 

Inside GSI, there are extensions with different authorizations for phone calls: 

• External calls, short-distance 

Press 9 or "Amt" and dial the number you would like to call. 

• Business calls, long-distance 

Dial "0" (for the switchboard) plus the desired number. 

• Private calls 

Private calls have to be conducted via key "0". These calls are registered separately and the 

costs will be billed. 

• Switchboard, directory assistance 

External calls can be put through by the switchboard by dialling 0. 

• Payphones 

In the new guesthouse there are card phones which can also be used for long-distance calls. A 

card phone is located in front of the entrance to the guest office in the foyer of the lecture hall 

('Südbau'). Phone cards can be purchased in the canteen. 

14

• New guesthouse on the GSI premises 

These extensions can be reached directly from outside. Furthermore, direct calls can be made 

within the Darmstadt area. External calls (long-distance) can only be made via the switchboard 

by dialling 0. 

• "Steinhaus" 

Long-distance calls, worldwide 0 + phone number. These extensions can be reached directly 

from outside. The GSI switchboard can be reached via the number "3-0". By dialling the number 

"3" plus the extension number, the GSI phones can be reached directly. 

• Old guesthouse ("Baracke") 

External calls are not possible.These extensions can be called directly from outside. 

The GSI switchboard can be reached via the number "3-0". By dialling the number "3" and the 

extension number, the GSI phones can be reached directly. 

Further information about the telephone system: www.gsi.de/informationen/wti/it/info/telefon_e.html 

2.7 Accidents / Illness – procedure at GSI 

For transporting an injured or ill person to the hospital or to a doctor, an ambulance or an 

ambulance with special equipment needs to be called: 

Ambulance (Krankenwagen) 19222 

Mobile Intensive Care Unit (Notarztwagen) 112 

The person who is with the injured or ill person must call the ambulance. 

When calling give the following information: 

Who is calling? Name and location 

Where did it happen? exact place of accident or illness 

What has happened? how many injured or ill persons? 

If an ambulance is called, the headquarters in Darmstadt often has questions about the kind of 

injury or the kind of disease; and it is best if one of the people who is with the injured or ill person 

answers these questions. Contacting superiors or the people responsible for safety and radiation 

protection may cause a delay. After you have called an ambulance, it is necessary to inform the 

GSI gate under 2210/2205 so that the ambulance can be directed to the right place; also the 

department for Safety and Radiation Protection 2400/2700, (PSA: 12- 4001 - phone number of 

the place from where you call) must be informed, so that the necessary notifications can be 

made. 

If a person is only slightly injured and is able to walk, on special request the person may be 

transported in a GSI-vehicle (if available) or by taxi. In this case the “Fahrbereitschaft” (transport 

pool) 2348 (PSA: 12- 3421 - phone number of the place from where you call). 

All accidents, including those on the way to/from work, have to be reported to the department for 

Safety and Radiation Protection (2400/2700). 

15

3. ACCOMMODATION 

3.1 Accommodation at GSI 

GSI experimenter guest house 

• rooms with private shower and telephone 

• shopping area WX: 25 min, bus stop to DA: 

15 min, train station WX: 30 min, GSI: next door 

GSI guest house “Steinhaus” 

• also for long-term stay (max. 1 year) 

• single rooms and a few double rooms 

• ground floor: kitchenette in the room, showers and lavatory on the same floor 

• 2 nd up to 4 th floor: shower in the room, lavatory and kitchen on the same floor 

• GSI: 15 min, train station WX: 15 min, bus stop to DA: 2 min, shopping area 

WX: 10 min 

Old GSI guest house (“Framehouse" or "Holzhaus”) 

• also for long-term stay (max. 1 year) 

• simple rooms, payphone, shared kitchen, showers on the same floor 

room < 10m²: 

room > 10m²: 

cleaning inclusive 

night 1 – 7 

effective 

from night 8 

€ 36,00 € 30,00 

€ 20,00 € 14,00 

€ 14,00 

€ 16,00 

On-line Reservation: www.gsi.de/informationen/users/wohnen/guesthouse-resv_e.php 

Contact: Frau Haste (GSI-Guest-office) � 2625 

3.2 Hotels in the Vicinity 

€ 8,00 

€ 10,00 

Hotel Address Costs Time to get to GSI 

Hotel KM 

(former Hotel 

Tonini) 

Hotel Weißer 

Schwan 

Hotel Arheilger 

Hof 

16 

Frankfurter Landstr. 152 

64291 Darmstadt-Arheilgen 

� 06151-371051 

Fax: 06151 375207 

Frankfurter Landstr. 190 

64291 Darmstadtt-Arheilgen 

� 06151 371702 

Fax: 06151 377884 

contact: www.da-schwan.de or 

mailbox@da-schwan.de 

Guericke Weg 16 

64291 Darmstadt 

Telephon: +49 6151 93480 

Fax: +49 6151 934851 

contact:www.darmstadtonline.de/arheilger-hof 

or 

Arheilger-Hof@t-online.de 

~35 €/night, incl. 

breakfast (single 

room) 

~46 €/ night, incl. 


room) 

~45 €/night, incl. 


room) 

• by bus WX or 662 + walk, 

30 min from GSI 

• ~ 10 min by car 

• by bus WX or 662 + walk, 

30 min from GSI 

• ~ 10 min by car 

• by train S3/S4 and bus 

WX + walk; approx. 40 

min from GSI 

• ~ 10 min by car

More info see www.gsi.de/informationen/users/wohnen/hotelliste_e.html and 

www.darmstadt-marketing.de/uebernachten/hotel.asp 

3.3 Private Apartments 

• approx. 6-9 €/square meter (without charges) 

• Frau Haste (GSI-Guest-office) � 2625 

• bill-board near the canteen 

• personal initiative 

• newspapers 

• "Darmstädter Echo", (www.echo-online.de/, Wednesday + Saturday); 

• "Arheilger Post” (once a week, free of charge; especially for Arheilgen, Wixhausen, 

Erzhausen; for placing an advertisement see www.zeitungsverlag-dauber.de/indexe.htm 

(cheap for private advertisements)) 

• "Sperrmüll” (www.sperrmuell.de/) 

• www (www.immobilienscout24.de/ , mostly offers from estate agents) 

3.4 "Mitwohnzentrale” and Flat-sharing 

The “Mitwohnzentrale” (agency for short-term dwelling) helps to find furnished or unfurnished 

apartments – long-term or short-term (e.g. from people who would like to rent their apartment 

during their vacation). The “Mitwohnzentrale” gives you the phone number of the landlord and later 

prepares the contract. They receive a commission (e.g. 18 % of a month's rent; maximum 1 month 

is rent – for over 6 months rental term), plus an additional 16 % VAT. This service is quite useful, 

because it is very hard to find apartments for short-term rental. 

Im Niederfeld 8, D-64293 Darmstadt, � 06151-89 75 64, 

Via www.wg-gesucht.de/ one can find flat-sharing communities and flats for short-time rent. 

17

� � � � � � � 

4. LIFE & WORK – WHERE TO FIND WHAT 

4.1 Authorities in Darmstadt 

General information on the web 

(in German): 

Formulas (download): 

(Please ask for opening hours!) 

General information about authorities, forms 

e.g. 

Registration office Darmstadt (Meldestelle im 

Ordnungsamt DA) 

Registration office at the district administration 

Wixhausen (Meldestelle in der 

Bezirksverwaltung WX) 

Registration office at the district administration 

Arheilgen (Meldestelle in der Bezirksverwaltung 

AH) 

Aliens´ registration office at the Techn. Univ. 

(TU) Darmstadt, only for TU- and GSIemployees 

Tax office (Finanzamt) 

www.finanzamt-darmstadt.de/ 

Drivers license office (Fahrerlaubnisbehörde) 

Vehicle admission office (Kraftfahrzeug- 

Zulassungsstelle) 

www.darmstadt.de/virtuellesrathaus/bis/index.html 

www.darmstadt.de/prosoz/probuerger/public/formulare.cfm 

Luisenplatz 5 DA 

� 

06151-13-2310 

info@darmstadt.de 

Grafenstraße 30 DA 06151-13-1 

Falltorstr. 11 WX 06150-82098 

Rathausstr. 1 

Room 4 

Hochschulstr. 1 

Altes 

Hauptgebäude 

AH 06151-13-3231 

DA 06151-164897 

Please arrange an 

appointment by 

phone (Mo – Fr 11:00 

– 15:00). Appointm. 

possible Mo, Wed, Fr 

Soderstr. 30 06151-102-0 

Grafenstr. 30 06151-13-2272 

Rüdesheimer 

Straße 119; 

build. B 

DA 06151-1322-46 

Lost and found (Fundbüro) Grafenstr. 30 DA 06151-13-2267 

4.2 Various Institutions 

• ADAC, German Automobile Club 

Am Marktplatz 4, DA, general information: � 0180-5101112; www.adac.de 

• German railway (Deutsche Bahn, DB, train information) 

DA main station, DA, � 11861(0,60 €/min) or www.bahn.de (information available in English, 

French, Italian) 

• Protestant church (Evangelische Kirche) 

worship: Su 10 00 , Römergasse 15, WX, � 06150-7731 

18

• Catholic church (Katholische Kirche) 

mass: Zöllerstr. 3, Hl.-Geist-Kirche, AH, � 06151-351031& Lortzingstr. 51, WX 

www.bistummainz.de/bm/dcms/sites/pfarreien/dekanat-darmstadt/darmstadtarheilgen/Gottesdienste/index.html 

• Technische Universität Darmstadt (TU) 

Karolinenplatz 5, DA, � 06151-16-01; www.tu-darmstadt.de/ 

• Hochschule Darmstadt (HDa) 

Haardtring 10, DA, � 0 6151/16-0; www.h-da.de/ 

• Adult education center (Volkshochschule (VHS)) 

Große Bachgasse 2 (Justus-Liebig-Haus), DA, � 06151-13-2786; www.darmstadt.de/vhs/ 

4.3 Embassies / Consulates 

Country 

C or 

HC٭ 

China C Mainzer Landstr. 175, 60326 Frankfurt 

Address � Phone 

069-75085548 

(Pass), 75085534 

(Visa) 

Finland HC Beethovenstr. 8-10, 60325 Frankfurt 

Zeppelinallee 35, 60325 Frankfurt 

069- 97 554 352 

France C www.botschaftfrankreich.de/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=56 

069-795096-0 

Great Britain HC Bockenheimer Landstr. 38-40, 60323 Frankfurt 069- 7167 5345 

Greece C 

Zeppelinallee 43, 60325 Frankfurt, 

www.griechisches-konsulat-frankfurt.de/ 

069-979912-0 

India C 

Friedrich-Ebert-Anlage 26, 60325 Frankfurt, 

www.cgifrankfurt.de/ 

069-153005-0 

Italy C 

Kettenhofweg 1, 60325 Frankfurt, www.consolatiitaliani.de/francoforte/index.htm 

069-75 31-0 

Japan C Taunustor 2, 60311 Frankfurt 069-238573-0 

Poland C Lindenallee 7, 50968 Köln 0221-93730-0 

0228- 3 86 79 30 

Russia C Waldstr. 42, 53177 Bonn, www.ruskonsulatbonn.de/ (Visa), 3 86 79 23 

(Pass) 

Spain C Nibelungenplatz 3, 60318 Frankfurt 069-959166-0 

Ukraine C 

Brönnerstr. 15, 60313 Frankfurt 

e-mail: info@ukr-gk.de 

069-297209-0 

USA C 

Gießener Str. 30, 60323 Frankfurt 

frankfurt.usconsulate.de/ 

069-7535-0 

٭ HC = Honorary Consulate C = Consulate or Consulate General 

More information: www.konsulate.de/index.htm 

(a private site with sales promotion, not very user-friendly, but with 

extensive information in German, English and polish) 

4.4 Medical Services 

Hospitals 

• Alice-Hospital (Red Cross Hospital), Dieburger Str. 31, DA � 06151-402-0, 

www.alice-hospital.de/ 

19

• Kinderklinik Prinzessin Margaret (pediatric hospital), Dieburger Str. 31, DA � 06151-402- 

271, www.kinderkliniken.de/ 

• Elisabethenstift, Landgraf-Georg-Str. 100, DA � 06151-403-0, 

www.krankenhaus-elisabethenstift.de/ 

• Klinikum Darmstadt, Grafenstr. 9, DA � 06151-107-0, www.klinikum-darmstadt.de/ 

• Marienhospital, Martinspfad 72, DA � 06151-406-0, www.marienhospital-darmstadt.de/ 

• Day hospital for traditional Chinese medicine, Elisabethenstr. 62, DA � 06151-307695-0 

Physicians 

Allergologist 

Dr. Klaus Gißler, Rheinstr. 7-9, DA, � 06151-25576 

General practitioner 

Dr. Manfred Hartung, Lortzingstr. 18, WX, � 06150-81855 

Dr. Reinhold Hahn, Trinkbornstr. 47, WX, � 06150-980028 

Eye specialist 

Dr. Dieter Brodehl, Wilhelminenstr. 5a, DA, � 06151-23237 

Gynecologist 

Dr. Irene Münkhoff/ Dr. Manfred Klein, Ludwigsplatz 1,DA, � 06151-292191 

ENT doctor 

Drs Lesewa and Wowra, Rheinstr. 35, DA, � 06151-292970 

Dermatologist 

Dr. Klaus Gißler, Rheinstr. 7-9, DA, � 06151-25576 

Internal medicine 

Dr. Simonis/ Dr. Alexander Hurst, Frankfurter Str. 3, DA, � 06151-26977 

Pediatrician 

Drs Nick, Schuster, and Ahl, Frankfurter Str. 3, DA, � 06151-26574 

Neurologist 

Dr. Gesine Heetderks, Heidelberger Landstr. 171, DA, � 06151-5092-0 

Orthopedist 

Dr. S. Riemenschneider, Rheinstr. 25, DA, � 06151-24979 

Urologist 

Praxis-Zentrum Darmstadt, Landgraf-Georg-Str. 100, DA, � 06151-42027-0 

Dentist 

Dr. Thomas Schweer, Frankfurter Landstr. 165, AH, � 06151-377878 

Dr. Bernd Römer, Erzhäuserstr. 3, WX, � 06150-7782 

Traditional Chinese medicine & Acupuncture 

Dr. med. Ying Zhang, Heidelberger Str. 41, DA, � 06151-3919567 

Veterinarian 

Dr. W. Harr + T. Fischer, Emil-Voltz-Str. 42a, AH, � 06151- 37882 

Please make an appointment by phone! This is just a limited list; more physicians and phone 

numbers can be found in the yellow pages, and in the local phone book under “Ärzte“. 

Other helpful phone numbers and addresses 

On-duty medical service: 

• for DA, AH: Bismarckstr. 59, DA, � 06151-896669, at night, weekends & holidays, 

www.darmstadt.de/gesundheit/notruf/07921/index.html 

• for WX: Ohly-Stift, Schlossgasse 11, Gräfenhausen, � 06150-5919191 or 06150-592387 

Sa 8:00 – Mo 7:00 and on holidays 

• in case of emergency (fire and medical): � 112 (nationwide) 

• Info number in case of toxication: � 06131-19240, www.giftinfo.uni-mainz.de/gift_en/ 

• list of telephone numbers and/or web-sites for a lot of emergency services in the Darmstadt 

area (e.g. medical, psychological , power supply, fire) see 

www.darmstadt.de/gesundheit/notruf/index.html 

See also p. 2.7. Accidents/Illness and p. 4.5 Insurances. 

20

4.5 Insurances 

Some insurance companies 

• Allianz Versicherung, Heinz Klose, Frankfurter Landstr. 155, AH, � 06151-373694 

• R + V Versicherung, Jens Friedrich, Frankfurter Landstr. 97, AH, � 06151-375409 

• HUK Coburg, Heidelberger Str. 45, DA, � 06151-312707 

• Nürnberger Versicherungen, Heidelberger Str. 117, DA, � 06151-661643 

• DEVK, D. Janda, Jägertorstr. 33, WX, � 06151-391900 

Health insurance 

Guests at GSI must have a health insurance. For short term stays (up to 3 months) it is possible 

to use a health insurance in your home country. GSI can help you to arrange for participation in a 

group insurance (Europa Krankenversicherung AG), at a rate of 1.84 € per day and per person (as 

of January 1, 2002). Further information is available at the staff department. 

If you have such an insurance contract, consulting a doctor or getting a medical treatment at a 

hospital is generally free and you can see a doctor of your choice. 

However, some extra fees apply and they will be charged to you: 

• For your first visit to a doctor per quarter (e.g. January-March) a fee of 10 € will be charged. To 

avoid additional fees within this specific quarter if you need to see another doctor (or more), ask 

for a "Überweisung" from the doctor you consulted first. This transfer ("Überweisung") is free of 

charge; without this each doctor you are consulting will charge you again 10 €. 

• If the doctor prescribes a medicine part of the cost for the medicine has to be payed by you at 

the pharmacy. Expect to pay up to about 10 € per prescription. 

• If you need to stay in a hospital, they will charge you 10 € per day for a maximum of 28 days. 

Personal Liability Insurance 

We absolutely recommend you to take out a personal liability insurance. There is a special 

arrangement for GSI-guests (app. 0,11 €/day). If you do not yet have such an arrangement, please 

contact: 

Silvia Engel, � 2603, or the Guest-office (Christine Haste, � 2625) 

4.6 Finances 

Bank accounts 

For guests who stay with GSI for several months or years their salaries/grants will be transferred 

to a bank account. This bank account has to be opened personally by the guest. 

With the customer´s card from the bank, you can withdraw money from your account at any cash 

machine or counter of the same bank institution. After 3 months of regular income, you can ask for 

an “Euroscheckkarte” (check card). With this card, you can also take out money from cash 

machines of other bank institutes (usually subject to charges). All banks offer the possibility for online 

banking. 

Money transfer 

Money transfer forms are available at the bank. Ask someone (e.g. a bank employee) to explain to 

you how to fill out the form or to translate. 

Abbreviations: 

BLZ: “Bankleitzahl” ⇒ identification number of the bank institute 

Kto: “Kontonummer” ⇒ account number 

21

Bank or “Sparkasse” (savings bank)? 

Large banks (e.g. Deutsche Bank) have the advantage that there are branches throughout 

Germany. That means, for example that in Darmstadt the same terms apply as in Berlin. In case 

guests plans to extend the stay in Germany after visiting GSI, we recommend choosing one of the 

large bank institutes, so that they can keep the same account number and bank identification 

number. 

Regional banks and savings banks have the advantage that there is a branch in most suburbs and 

villages. 

Bank and “Sparkassen” branches 

• Commerzbank, Frankfurter Landstr. 154, AH, � 06151-9392-0 

• Deutsche Bank, Luisenplatz 7, DA, � 06151-2818-0 

• Dresdner Bank, Rheinstr. 14, DA, � 06151-106-1 

• Volksbank Darmstadt (selection), www.voba-darmstadt.de/ 

• Luisenplatz 6, DA, � 06151-1570, 

• Verdistr. 24, WX, � 06150-7454, 

• Untere Mühlstraße 2-4, AH, � 06151-358-0 

⇒ low costs for services in other branches around Germany 

• Sparkasse Darmstadt (selection), www.sparkasse-darmstadt.de/ 

• Rheinstr. 10-12 (Luisenplatz), DA, � 06151-28160, open Mo – Th 9 – 18, Fr 9 – 15, Sa 10– 

13, self service area round the clock 

• Wegscheide 1, WX, � 06150-7630, open Mo – We 8.30 – 12.30 & 14.30 – 16 h, Th 

afternoon until 18 h, Fr only until 15 h 

• AH: Frankfurter Landstr. 163, � 06151-28160 & Jakob-Jung-Str. 2 (only self service area) 

⇒ no (Cash machine) or low costs for services in other branches around Germany 

• Postbank see p. 4.14. Mail 

Money can be changed in all banks and savings banks. 

There is also a possibility to change money at the airport. 

4.7 Language Classes 

GSI-internal 

• German, French, and English (different levels); costs: none 

• Russian (participants pay a contribution) 

Open also to relatives 

TU Darmstadt 

• Information: “Vorlesungsverzeichnis” (Schedule of courses), � 06151-16-2964 

• Inscription: not necessary, costs: none, www.spz.tu-darmstadt.de/ 

Private schools 

• Berlitz, Wilhelminenstr. 25, DA � 06151-26838 www.berlitz.de 

• Studio Mondiale, Kiesstr. 65a, DA � 06151-47030 www.mondiale.de 

• Sprachinstitut 2000, Kirchstraße 2, DA� 06151-24663, only German courses, 

www.sprachinstitut2000.de/ 

“Volkshochschule (VHS)” (adult education center) 

• Große Bachgasse 2,.DA � 06151-13-2786, www.darmstadt.de/vhs/ 

22

4.8 Tourist Information & Travelling 

Darmstadt 

Info Darmstadt 

Ticketshop 

Frankfurt Touristinfo Frankfurt 

Heidelberg Touristinfo 

'Verkehrsverein' 

Mainz 

UNESCO- 

Geopark 

Odenwald 

Touristikzentrale 

Mainz 

Touristik Zentrum 

Odenwald 

Luisenplatz, 

Luisencenter 

(shopping mall) 

main station or 

'Römer' (city 

hall) 

06151-95150-0 

069-21238800 

main station 06221-19433 

Brückenturm am 

Rathaus 

(City hall) 

Marktplatz 1, 

Erbach 

Open: 

Mo-Fr 9.30-20 h, Sat 10-16 h 

www.darmstadt-marketing.de/ 

www.darmstadt.de/ 

www.frankfurt-tourismus.de/ 

(many languages) 

www.cvbheidelberg.de/index_eng.html 

06131-286210 www.info-mainz.de/tourist 

06062-94330 

www.geonaturpark.net/daten/english.ph 

p , www.oreg.de/touristik/ 

Wiesbaden Touristinfo Marktstraße 6 0611-1729-930 english.wiesbaden.de/ 

“Mitfahrzentrale” - Carsharing-agency 

Would you like to travel to a certain place and look for someone who can give you a ride in the 

car? Alternatively, would you like to offer a ride in your car? On the webpage 

www.mitfahrgelegenheit.de/ 

You can look for such offers or you can place such an offer. 

Travel agencies ("Reisebüro") 

• Jeder - VFS Reisen, Frankfurter Landstr. 155, AH, � 06151- 935990; with DB(German 

Railway)-agency; www.reisebuero-jeder.de/ 

• DER Deutsches Reisebüro, Luisenplatz 1, DA, � 06151- 297441, www.der.de 

• Schütz, Grafenstr. 14-16, DA, � 06151-17270 

• Bargain flights: “STA Flüge”, Alexanderstr. 37-39, DA, � 06151-22522; special rates for 

students, www.statravel.de/ 

4.9 Entertainment 

Cinema 

In Germany, most movies are presented in the synchronized German version without sub-titles. 

However, some movie theaters show movies in the original version (OV) sometimes with (German) 

subtitles (OmU). 

• Cinema club at GSI, (mostly) on Thursdays every 2 weeks at 19:00 h in the 'Theory seminar 

room' (3.170), � 2795 (Stanislav Tachenov); all movies are in the original language, with 

English or German subtitles, entrance is free. 

www-linux.gsi.de/~andronic/club.html 

• Helia-Rex-Pali-Festival, movies in synchronized German version (Rex-theater sometimes OVmovies); 

Wilhelminenstr. 9, DA � 06151-29789; www.helia-kinos.de/original/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Luisenplatz" 

• Cinemaxx-Center; DA, Göbelstraße 11, near DA main station, � 06151-8705868: 

www.cinemaxx.de/ 

Transport link: trains, busses and tram lines via "Hauptbahnhof" 

• TU Darmstadt, Studentischer Filmkreis (Students Cinema Club), movies in original version, TU- 

Audimax and Rex-theater (see above), � 06151-16-3339¸www.filmkreis.de 

23

Outside of Darmstadt: 

• Mal Seh'n Kino, movies in original version with German subtitles; Adlerflychtstraße 6 Frankfurt, 

� 069- 5970845 (www.malsehnkino.de) 

• Turmpalast, new movies in original version (OV); Am Eschenheimer Turm, Frankfurt, � 

069-281787; www.cinestar.de 

Live music 

• StudentInnenkeller/Schloßkeller, in the court of the castle, DA, nice student´s pub; 

www.asta.tu-darmstadt.de/schlosskeller/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloß" 

• An Sibin, Landgraf-Georg-Str. 25, DA, � 06151-20452, Irish pub, live music; 

www.ansibin.com/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Teichhausstraße/Mercksplatz" 

• Centralstation, Carrée, DA, � 06151-36688-99, disco, live music, performances; 

www.centralstation-darmstadt.de 


• Goldene Krone, Schustergasse 18, DA, � 06151-21352, jazz, disco, live music; 

www.goldene-krone.de/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloß" 

• Jagdhofkeller, Bessunger Str. 84, DA, � 06151-65566, jazz; www.jagdhofkeller.de/ 

Transport link: tram lines 1, 6, 7, 8 via "Bessunger Straße" 

Discotheques 

• Musikpark A5, Gräfenhäuser Str. 75-85, DA, � 06151-957997, large disco, 

www.musikpark-a5.de/; Transport link: busses via "Otto-Röhm-Straße" 

• Catwalk, Landwehrstr. 89, DA, � 06151-894112, large disco, www.catwalk-da.de/ 

Transport link: busses via "Mainzer Straße" 

• Nachtcafé, Im Carrée 4, DA, � 06151-272114, dance hall, www.n8-cafe.de 


• Caribe (Salsa Drom), Holzstr.7, DA, � 06151-292422, salsa disco with salsa classes; 

www.caribe-salsodromo.de/; Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloß" 

Theater – concert - cabaret 

• “Staatstheater Darmstadt “, Georg-Büchner-Platz, DA, � 06151-2811211, plays, operas, 

operettas, concerts; www.staatstheater-darmstadt.de/ 

Transport link: tram lines 1, 7, 8 via "Eschollbrücker Straße" or tram lines and busses via 

"Rheinstraße/ Neckarstraße" 

• “Die Komödie” – TAP**, Bessunger Str. 125, DA � 06151-33555; comedies for adults and 

theater for children; www.die-komoedie-tap.de/; Transport link: tram lines 1, 6, 7, 8 via 

"Bessunger Straße" 

• “halbNeun-Theater”, Sandstr. 32, DA � 06151-23330; cabaret, comedy, live music; 

www.local-pages.de/halbneun-theater/, Transport link see “Staatstheater" 

• “Bessunger Knabenschule”, Ludwigshöhstr. 42, DA � 06151-61650; concerts, cabaret, 

theater; www.knabenschule.de/ 

• “Kikeriki-Theater” and “Comedy Hall”, Heidelberger Str. 131, DA � 06151-964266; puppet 

theater for adults and children; www.comedy-hall.de/ 

• Neue Bühne Darmstadt, Frankfurter Landstraße 195-197, AH, � 06151-422205, plays; 

www.neue-buehne.de/, Transport link: Bus line WX 

• Theater Mollerhaus, Sandstr. 10, DA � 06151-26540, concerts, cabaret, theater for adults 

and children; www.theatermollerhaus.de/ 

• HoffArt Theater, Lauteschlägerstraße 28a, DA � 06151-2795115, plays, various companies, 

www.hoffart-theater.de/ 

• Darmstadtium Congress Centre, Holzstraße 2, DA, � 06151-1528089, concerts, theater, e.g. 

www.darmstadtium.de 

24


• The English Theatre, Gallusanlage 7, Frankfurt, � 069-24231620, plays and musicals in 

English; english-theatre.org/ 

4.10 Sports 

• “Sportverein” (= uncommercial sports club) TSG Wixhausen, Falltorstr. 24, WX, � 06150- 

81371; www.tsg-wixhausen.de/; various locations, wide variety of sports, e.g. soccer, tennis 

• “Sportverein” 'SG Arheilgen' (SGA), Auf der Hardt 80, AH, � 06151-376330; 

www.sg-arheilgen.de/; various locations, wide variety of sports 

• Bowling Center, Gräfenhäuser Str. 26, DA, � 06151-891632; Transport link: busses via 

"Windmühle" 

• Eissporthalle (ice skating), Alsfelder Str. 45, DA, � 06151-77790; Transport link: tram lines 4, 

5 via "Eissporthalle", Opened Oct. – March, www.darmstadt-online.de/eissporthalle/ 

• SQUASH, SPORTS UP, Landwehrstr. 85, DA, � 06151- 871465 Transport link: busses via 

"Mainzer Straße", www.sportsup.de/ 

• Tennis, various provider and locations, e.g. sports clubs (see above) 

• Fitnesscenter: various provider and locations, e.g. Body Culture, Otto-Röhm-Str. 51, DA, 

� 06151 - 855000 

Miniature Golf Facilities 

• “Steinbrücker Teich” (see 5.2); 

• “Prinz-Emil-Garten” (see 5.2); 

• SG Arheilgen, Auf der Hardt 78, AH, (see above) 

Golf 

In the vicinity: Golfpark Bachgrund, Im Bachgrund 1, Büttelborn-Worfelden, � 06152-807900, 

www.golfpark-bachgrund.de 

Indoor pools in Darmstadt 

• Bezirksbad Bessungen, Ludwigshöhstraße 10, DA-Bessungen, � 06151-13-2392 Transport 

link: tram 3 via "Orangerie" 

• Schul- und Trainingsbad, Heinrich-Fuhr-Straße 38, DA, � 06151-132693; Transport link: bus 

K via "Heidenreichstraße" 

• Nordbad, Alsfelder Str. 33, DA, � 06151-13-2851; Transport link: tram lines 4, 5 via "Nordbad" 

• Jugendstilbad, Mercksplatz 1, DA, (in renovation); www.jugendstilbad.de/; Transport link: 

busses via "Teichhausstraße/Mercksplatz" 

Outdoor pools in Darmstadt 

• Arheilger Mühlchen (natural open air bath), Auf der Hardt 105, AH � 06151-371605, 

admission free; Transport link: bus AH via "Auf der Hardt" 

• DWS-Freibad (Nordbad), Alsfelder Straße 33, DA, � 06151-13-2851; Transport link: tram 

lines 4, 5 via "Nordbad" 

• Grosser Woog (natural open air bath): 

• "Familienbad": Landgraf-Georg-Straße 121, DA, � 06151-13-2393 

• "Insel": Heinrich-Fuhr-Straße 20, DA, � 06151-13-2394 

Transport link: busses via "Woog" 

• Mühltalbad, Mühltalstraße 72 - 80, DA-Eberstadt, � 06151-5 46 05; Transport link: busses 

NB, NE via "Schwimmbad" 

• Hochchulstadion, Lichtwiesenweg 5, DA, (open air bath of the TU Darmstadt); Transport link: 

tram lines 2, 9 via "Jahnstraße" 

25

• Grube Prinz von Hessen, (a small lake for bathing), direction � "Oberwaldhaus", then app. 

another 2,5 km along the road (Dieburger Straße, L3094), right side in the woods; free of 

charge 

For more information (e.g. opening hours) see: www.darmstadt.de/freizeit/sport/baeder/index.html 

(in German) 


• Langener Waldsee, (lake for bathing), Langen, � 069-69 26 88 

Transport link: S-Bahn S3/S4 with direction "Bad Soden/Kronberg"; at stop "Dreieich- 

Buchschlag" change to bus OF-65 direction "Langen (Hessen) Waldsee", 

www.langen-waldsee.de/ 

4.11 Shopping 

General opening hours (shops) 

Many of the shops and bakeries have special opening hours. Check directly at the store entrance. 

Some large gas stations* sell foods – also on Sundays. There are also a few shops in the DA main 

station, which are open on Sundays (food, bakery, pharmacy, flowers, barber, e.g.) 

As a rule most of the shops are open: Mo-Fr: 9:00 – 19:00 

Sat: 9:00 – 16:00 

Sun: closed 

*e.g. Esso-Station "On the Run", Frankfurter Str. 65 (Tram-stop "Rhönring", Tram 7/8), 

DA, � 06151-981486, bakery, good food assortment, newspaper 

Main shopping area in the city of Darmstadt 

• Kirchstraße, Rheinstraße, Schulstraße, Marktplatz 

• pedestrian area: Ernst-Ludwig-Straße, Wilhelminenstraße, Wilhelminen-Passage, 

Schuchardstraße, Luisenplatz, Luisenstraße, HEAG-Passage, Ludwigspassage, Ludwigstraße 

Shopping area Egelsbach 

Next to B3 in Egelsbach (food, furniture, drugstore, entertainment electronics...). Can be 

reached by following B3 towards Egelsbach, app. 1km after Erzhausen on the left side; 

Transport link: bus 662 from WX, bus stops " Theodor-Heuss-Straße" and "Boschring" 

Shops in the vicinity (e.g. Wixhausen, Arheilgen) 

• Pharmacy ("Apotheke"): 

• Lortzing Apotheke, Lortzingstr. 69, WX, � 06150-7788 

Falltor- Apotheke, Falltorstr. 27, WX, � 06150-82171 

• Food: 

• 'Nah & Gut'-Markt (mostly termed as "EDEKA-Markt"), Lortzingstr. 69, WX, Open Mo – Fr 

7.30 – 12.30 h & 14.30 – 20 h, Sa 7 – 18 h 

• 'citymarkt' (mostly termed as "EDEKA-Markt"), Ettesterstr. 3, AH, Open Mo – Fr 8 – 20 h, 

Sat 8 – 18 h 

• 'REWE'-Markt, Südliche Ringstr. 21, ER, Open Mo – Fr 8 – 20 h, Sat 8 – 18 h 

• NETTO, Südliche Ringstr. 5-9, ER, Open Mo – Fr 8 – 20 h, Sat 7 – 20 h 

• Asia Supermarkt, Frankfurter Str. 68 (Tram-stop "Pallaswiesenstrasse", Tram 7/8), DA, � 

06151-23492, asian food 

• MIX Markt, Siemensstr. 2-16 (Fasanerie-Passage), KR, � 06151-9673282, russian food e.g. 

• Bakery (“Bäckerei”): 

• Wiedmann, Lortzingstr. 69, WX, � 06150-7390 (Open: �'Nah & Gut'-Markt) and 

Römergasse 14 (opened also on Sundays from 8-11am), , � 06150-7166 

• Bader, Hegelstr. 1, WX, � 06150-7335 

26

• Kiosk Müller (e.g. post office, newspapers, cigarettes, tickets for RMV (public transport)), at WX 

station, Bahnhofstr. 2a � 06150-7444, Open Mo – Fr 8 – 12:30 & 14 - 18.30 h, Sat 8 – 13 h 

• Bookstore especially for scientific books: Wellnitz, Lauteschlägerstr. 4, DA, 

� 06151-714824; www.wellnitz-fachbuch.de/ 

• International press: main station DA 

• Optician: Wiegmann, Frankfurter Landstr. 165, AH, � 06151-37197 

• Launderette 

• Waschkorb, Roßdörferstr. 35 & Eschollbrücker Straße 26, DA, � 06151-8700762; 

Open Mo – Su 7 – 21 h (closed on holidays), www.darmstadt-online.de/waschsalon/ 

• Waschsalon Müller, Liebfrauenstr. 83, DA, � 06151-711422 

• Dry-cleaner ("Chemische Reinigung") 

• REWEDA, Arheilger Woogstr. 1, AH, � 06151-8700762 

4.12 Restaurants & Takeaways 

Restaurants & Cafes - Average price range 

Bayerischer 

Location, � 

Kastanienallee 4, 06151-711163 DA Bavarian beer garden, April – 

Biergarten 

September, www.bayerischerbiergarten.de/ 

Bockshaut Kirchstr. 7-9, 06151-99670 DA Trad. german www.bockshaut.de/ 

Braustübl Goebelstr. 7, 06151-876587 

(near main station & Cinemaxx) 

Wilhelminenstr. 31, 06151-25511 

DA German, www.city-braustuebl.de/ 

Bürgerhaus Im Appensee 26, 06150-82122 WX German 

Casa Algarve Pallaswiesenstr. 39, 06151- 9512811 DA Portuguese 

Hacienda Holzhofallee 2, 06151-318396 DA Mexican 

www.hacienda-restaurants.de/ 

Havana Lauteschläger Str. 42, 06151-710459 DA café/cocktail bar 

Il Trullo Lortzingstr. 69, 06150-85588 WX Italian (also takeaway) 

Kalkofen Kalkofenweg 90, 06151-371480 AH beer garden, closed in bad weather and 

winter www.biergarten-kalkofen.de/ 

Karagöz Sandstr. 23, 06151-21068 DA Turkish www.restaurantkaragoez.de/ 

KHAN Goebelstr. 21, 06151-8003033 DA Mongolian barbecue, Chin. 

Klinkers 1955 Pützerstr. 6, 06151-21068 DA Intern.www.klinkers-da.de/ 

KuK Carrée, 06151-294902 DA café 

Kulturcafé Hermannstr. 7, 06151-25832 DA vegetarian 

Lahore Palace Eschollbrücker Str. 5, 06151-33229 DA Ind./Pakistani, www.lahore-palace.de/ 

Lokales Dieburger Str. 50, 06151-22122 DA Pizzeria 

Madrid Heidelberger Str. 81c, 06151-318080 DA Spanish 

Nachrichtentreff Elisabethenstr. 20, 06151-23823 DA café 

Oberwaldhaus Dieburger Str. 257, 06151-712266 DA Kroatian/Int. www.oberwaldhausdarmstadt.de 

Oseki Neckarstr. 20, 06151-2786339 DA Sushi 

Schloßgarten- 

Café 

Robert-Schneider-Str. 23, 06151-79417 DA intern., newspapers 

Sitte Karlstr. 15, 06151-25853 DA German, www.restaurant-sitte.de/ 

Tam Nag Thai Meeseler Str. 2, 06151-2786111 AH Thai 

Taverna Hellas Bahnhofstr. 17, 06150-542419 WX Greek 

Weißer Schwan Frankfurter Landstr. 190, 06151-371702 AH German/Greek/Int.,www.da-schwan.de/ 

Zarenhof Siemensstr. 10, 06151-716799 KR Russian 

27

Fast Food & Takeaways 

• Pizzeria Pinocchio (Pizza/Pasta/Salads/beverages), WX, Messeler-Park-Str. 31, WX � 06150- 

7070, 11:00 – 23:00 

• Helin Döner (Döner/Pizza/Salads/beverages), Falltorstr. 43, WX, � 06150-85458, 11:00 – 

23:00, closed Sat. 

• McDonald’s: Carrée, Ernst-Luwig-Str. 26, Rheinstr. 69, Heidelberger Str. 191 & Gräfenhäuser 

Str. 89, DA 

• Pizza-Hut: Carrée (Luisenplatz), Eschollbrücker Str. 44 & Gräfenhäuser Str., DA 

Delivery-Service 

• Lokales (Pizza/Salads/Pasta/beverages), Dieburger Str. 50, DA, � 06151-22122 

• Pizzeria Express (Pizza/Salads/Pasta/beverages), Thomas-Mann-Platz 5, AH, � 06151- 

351522, Mo – Sa 10:45 – 14:30 + 17:00 – 23:00, Su 16:30 – 22:30, www.pizzaservice.de 

4.13 Media 

TV & Radio 

TV-Radio name frequency type of music 

radio HR 1 94,4 info and pop 

HR 2 96,7 classical music 

HR 3 89,3 info and pop 

HR 4 102,5 info and pop 

SWR 3 101,1 info and pop 

FFH 90,1 info and pop 

AFN 98,7 English 

television CNN English 

NBC English 

ARTE German/French 

TV5 French 

TV program: tv.web.de 

Public Library 

• DA, Große Bachgasse 2 (Justus-Liebig-Haus), � 06151-132757, books, newspapers, videos, 

dvd's, www.stadtbibliothek.darmstadt.de/ 

• local branches: AH: Untere Mühlstr. 10, � 06151-376455 

KR: Bartningstraße 33, � 06151-9671535 

Newspapers 

• Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ, nationwide), www.faz.net/ 

• Frankfurter Rundschau (nationwide), www.fr-online.de/ 

• Darmstädter Echo (for the Darmstadt area), www.echo-online.de/ 

Ads for Apartments 

• Darmstädter Echo (www.echo-online.de/markt/immobilien.php3) 

• Arheilger Post (www.zeitungsverlag-dauber.de/indexe.htm) 

• Sperrmüll (www.sperrmuell.de/) 

List of events 

“Heiner”, “Fritz”, “Darmstädter Kulturnachrichten” (⇒ see phone GSI guesthouse), “Auftritt” are 

available (at no charge) in many shops, public buildings and at the tourist office, Luisenplatz. 

Information also at www.darmstadt.de/ (available in English). 

28

4.14 Phone Calls 

We recommend to buy a “Telefonkarte” (phone card); they can be purchased at post offices, 

Telekom-shops, and at the GSI-canteen. With such a card you can call from almost every phone 

booth. 

Private telephones can be registered at almost every Telekom-shop; e.g. DA; Luisenplatz 3 

• advisory service for customers: � 0800-3301000 

• fault clearing service (Störungsstelle): � 0800-3302000 

• directory assistance � 11833 (Germany), � 11834 (other countries) 

• special codes: � 0800: call at no charge 

� 0180: different charges, but not very expansive 

� 0190: different charges, can be very expansive ! 

The individual rates are not mentioned here because they change often. Current rates are 

available at the following web sites: 

www.billiger-telefonieren.de and www.teltarif.de 

Country codes 

4.14 Mail 

country code 

� 

country code 

� 

Canada 001 Czech Republic 0042 

Netherlands 0031 India 0091 

Belgium 0032 Portugal 00351 

China 0086 Romania 0040 

Finland 00358 Russia 007 

Italy 0039 Slovakia 0042 

Japan 0081 Spain 0034 

France 0033 Sweden 0046 

United Kingdom 0044 Switzerland 0041 

Austria 0043 USA 001 

Stamps can be purchased at any post-office or stamp vending machine. 

letter size 

D/ GUS/Europe 

[€] 

world/land 

[€] 

world/air 

[€] 

postcard 0.45 1.00 1.00 

normal letter (up to 20g) 0.55 1.55 1.55 

Post-offices 

• WX: station (in the 'Kiosk'), � 06150-7444, Open Mo – Fr 8 – 12:30 & 14 - 18.30 h, Sat 8 – 13 

h (limited banking sevice) 

• AH: Frankfurter Landstraße 112, � 06151-371046, Open Mo – Fr 8.30 – 12 & 14.30 - 18 h, 

Sat 9 – 12 h, with self-service, open every day 24h (no banking service) 

• DA (selection): 

• Luisenplatz 3, � 01802-33 33, Open Mo – Fr 8.30 – 18.30 h, Sat 8.30 – 14 h, with selfservice 

(open every day 24h) and banking service 

• Poststraße 4 – 6 (near main station), � 06151-907-0, Open Mo – Fr 7.30 – 18.30 h, Sat 8.– 

12.3 h, with self-service (open every day 24h) and banking service 

29

5. DARMSTADT INFO 

� � � � 

www.darmstadt.de, 

www.darmstadt.de/en/index.html (english) 

www.darmstadt.de/fr/index.html (french) 

www.darmstadt-marketing.de, www.local-pages.de/ 

city map: www.darmstadt.de/en/citymap/index.html 

5.1 Facts 

Inhabitants: 140.108 (31.12.2006) 

Elevation: Main train station (tracks) 124.34 m above sea level, 

Luisenplatz 141.25 m above sea level, 

Böllenfalltor 193.20 m above sea level 

Geographical location: 49 degrees, 52 minutes, 21 seconds Northern latitude; 

8 degrees, 39 minutes, 25 seconds Eastern longitude (steeple of 

the “Stadtkirche”) 

Extension: 122.36 square kilometers (54.63 square kilometers forest area – 

45% of the extension) 

Linear dimensions: Length of the city boundary 63.5 km, 

North-South extension 17 km, 

East-West extension 15 km 

Suburbs: Arheilgen, Eberstadt, Kranichstein, Wixhausen 

The former Grand Dukes´ Residence has been and still is a city of art and science. Every year the 

“Deutsche Akademie für Sprache und Dichtung” (German academy for language and poetry) 

awards the "Georg Büchner prize" – the most important literature prize in Germany. Several l 

famous writers came to live in Darmstadt, and various important scientific and cultural institutions 

are found here. 

At the turn of the 19 th to the 20 th centuries the Jugendstil (Art Nouveau) made Darmstadt famous in 

and outside Germany. In 1899 the Grand Duke of Hessen, Ernst Ludwig, founded the 

Mathildenhöhe artists´ colony that would make Darmstadt famous as a leading center of art. The 

artists´ colony survived two world wars without damage, however, Darmstadt still offers abundant 

testimonies of the Jugendstil. In addition, various sights like, for example the baroque palace 

(Orangerie) and the Old City Hall, reflect the golden age of the former court of Hessen. 

5.2 Recreation Areas, Parks & Gardens 

Recreation area at the “Steinbrücker Teich” (a pond) and the "Oberwaldhaus" 

Rowing boats and pedal boats, chess, minigolf, ping pong, badminton, boccie courts, pony-riding 

for children, pony carriages, wildwest village, sand dunes for small children, grill facilities, public 

lawn , and special hiking trails. From the recreation area, a path with fitness stations leads through 

the forest.Transport link: bus # F. 

“Herrngarten” ( � see p. 5.3 Sights) 

Former palace gardens in the city center; the main entrance is at the former “Landestheater” (state 

theater).Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Luisenplatz". 

30

“Orangeriegarten” 

Pretty park with orange trees in the summer and with the “Orangerie” building (� p. 5.3 Sights); 

main entrance: Orangerieallee. Transport link: tram 3. 

“Prinz-Georg-Garten” ( � see p. 5.3 Sights) 

A small, charming French-style park with fountains and sundials located next to the “Prinz-Georg- 

Schlößchen” with its porcelain collection** ( � see p. 5.4 Museums). A part of the � “Herrngarten”. 

“Prinz-Emil-Garten” 

English-style park with a pond; main entrance: Heidelberger Straße. Transport link: tram 1, 7, 8. 

“Vivarium” 

Darmstadt´s (small) zoo; entrance: Schnampelweg 4, � 06151-133394; opening hours are 

linked to the seasons.Transport link: Bus K. www.darmstadt.de/freizeit/vivarium/index.html 

Botanical Garden 

scientific garden in the care of the Technical University (TU) Darmstadt; entrance: 

Schnittspahnstraße, � 06151-163502; opening hours are linked to the seasons, guided tour 

every first Friday of the month exept August. Transport link: Bus K. 

www.tu-darmstadt.de/fb/bio/bot/BoGa.html 

"Mathildenhöhe" 

see p 5.3 Sights 

“Park Rosenhöhe” (rose garden) 

The hill, with a picturesque view, was laid out as a park in 1810. Objects of special interest are the 

Mausoleum and the tombs of the grand-ducal family, and, at the top of the hill, the rosary with its 

large rose gardens. 

Main entrance through the lions´ gate at the crossing between Seitersweg and Wolfskehlstraße. 

Transport link: many busses and trains via "Ostbahnhof". www.rosenhoehe.de/ 

5.3 Sights 

“Luisenplatz” with Ludwig´s column 

“Luisenplatz”, with its modern pavement, is the center of Darmstadt. The 39 m-Ludwig´s column, 

designed by Georg Moller, was built in 1844 to commemorate the first Grand Duke of Hessen who 

gave his people a constitution in 1820. Inside the column, a staircase leads up to the 

Schwanthaler-statue. “Luisenplatz” is the most important traffic junction in Darmstadt and so many 

lines are crossing here. 

“Residenzschloß” (Residential Palace) 

In the place of the old castle/fortress that was surrounded by water, today there is the old 

renaissance palace with the two Baroque wings of the new palace, the latter built by Rémy de la 

Fosse from 1716 to 1727. The palace´s “Glockenbau” (chime building), built in 1671 by 

Pfannmüller, hosts, in the open bell chamber of the tower, a “Glockenspiel” that plays a plainsong 

or a folk song. Inside that building the � 'Palace Museum'** can be found today. Transport link: 

many busses and tram lines via "Schloss" or “Luisenplatz”. 

“Stadtkirche” (city church) 

This church, mentioned for the first time as “church of our blessed lady” in 1369, still incorporates 

remaining parts of the original building dating from about 1330. The Gothic style choir was built in 

1430. Count Georg I chose the church, which in the meantime had achieved the status of city 

church, as burial place for his house, and he had the vaults below the choir constructed for this 

purpose. Remarkable is the 9 m alabaster epitaph, which Georg I ordered to be erected in 1587 in 

memory of his first wife, Magdalena zur Lippe. Transport link: Bus K and tram lines 2, 3, 9 via 

"Schulstraße". 

31

Market Square and Old City Hall 

The square was built in the 14 th century as a trading center. The market fountain dates from 1546, 

and in 1780 some alterations were made. To the south of the market square the old city hall can be 

found. It was built in 1598 according to plans drawn by Wustmann. Of all the city offices only the 

registrar´s office is still located there. On the ground floor you can find the “Ratskeller” with its 

home-brewed beer. Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloss" or “Luisenplatz”. 

Old “Pädagog” 

The former Latin school, built in 1628 by S. von Müller, prepared the rising generation of the 

“Obergrafschaft” (county) Hessen-Darmstadt for the state university at Gießen. The ground floor of 

the “Pädagog” used to house the classrooms, the auditorium, a music room, and a library. 

Since the reconstruction after World War II there has been a vine cellar in the basement and the 

rooms upstairs are used by the “Volkshochschule” (adult education center) and by other schools. 

Transport link: Bus K and tram lines 2, 3, 9 via "Schulstraße". 

Old City Wall and White Tower** 

The city wall, with only a few remains left today, was built after Darmstadt acquired city rights in 

1330. A landmark of the inner city is the White Tower, a former corner tower that in 1708 was built 

to the present height and covered with a baroque roof. (� see p.4 Museums "Altstadt-Museum") 

“Herrngarten” and “Prinz-Georg-Garten” 

Laid out at the end of the 16th century and changed into an English landscape garden by Great 

Countess Caroline in 1766. Vicinal, in the northeast, there is a charming rococo park, the “Prinz- 

Georg-Garten”. It was laid out in 1764 in geometrical shapes. Fountains and sundials have been 

placed at the intersections of the garden paths. The Prettlack garden house, designed in 1720 by 

Rémy de la Fosse, accommodates today a free library. The Prinz-Georg-Palais (1710), with its 

porcelain collection, is located in the north. Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Willy- 

Brandt-Platz" or “Luisenplatz”. 

Old State Theater (now House of History - Hessian State Archives and City Archives) 

The former court theater was built in 1819 according to drafts by Georg Moller. Its design was 

exemplary, and with 2000 seats, it was one of the largest theaters at that time. During World War 

II, the building was destroyed leaving only the external walls. After a long period of reconstruction 

the “Mollerbau” (Moller building) was inaugurated in 1994 as an archive for the State of Hessen, 

and for Darmstadt. Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloss" or “Luisenplatz”. 

“Technische Universität” and Auditorium Maximum 

The Technical University (TU), established in 1836, today houses about 20,000 students and 360 

professors who are engaged in teaching and research in 21 different fields of study. The center of 

the complex is the administration building, with the “Auditorium Maximum” and other lecture halls 

seating up to 800 students. The old machine shop on the Magdalen-straße, built by Professor 

Wickop in the early 1870s, combines elements of the Art Nouveau style with those of the German 

“Gründerzeit”. In 1963 a lack of room in the city center led to an extension of the TU at the 

“Lichtwiese” on the southeastern city-border. Prizes for exemplary design were awarded for two 

buildings, and for the students´ dining hall. Transport link: many busses and tram lines via 

"Schloss" or “Luisenplatz” or busses F and H via "Alexanderstraße". 

“Sankt-Ludwigs-Kirche” 

The church was built in 1827 by Georg Moller according to the plans of the Pantheon in Rome. The 

proportions, however, are a fifth smaller than those of the Roman Pantheon. Inside the church 28 

Corinthian columns, each 15 meters high, carry a 33-meter-wide dome with a single window at its 

highest point – the only window in the church. The obelisk was dedicated to Queen Victoria´s 

daughter, Grand Duchess Alice. The church was restored in 2005. Transport link: Bus K and tram 

lines 2, 3, 9 via "Schulstraße". 

32

“Mathildenhöhe” 

Park with artists´ colony from the “Jugendstil” (Art Nouveau) era with artists´ homes, the "Ernst- 

Ludwig-Haus" atelier building (� museum of the artists´ colony**), the wedding tower** (� 

“Hochzeitsturm”), the � exhibition buildings** and the Russian chapel (� “Russische Kapelle”). 

In 1899, Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig invited seven artists to Darmstadt. Their first common task was 

to design and build their own living and working quarters and to present this work to the public. The 

first Mathildenhöhe exhibition, “A Document of German Art” in 1901, was an important event in the 

history of European culture and it established Darmstadt´s identity as a city of Art Nouveau and 

art in general. Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

“Hochzeitsturm” (wedding tower)** 

The city´s wedding present to Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig and Eleonore was built by Olbrich in 1908. 

The tower, 48 m high, comprises a brick body of several floors with a richly ornamented portal and 

a peculiar upper structure, symbolizing the five fingers of a hand. The entrance hall is decorated 

with two mosaic pictures by Kleukens named “Der Kuß” (The Kiss) and “Die Treue” 

(Faithfulness). Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

“Russische Kapelle” (Russian chapel) 

Czar Nikolaus II who was married to Princess Alexandra of Darmstadt missed having an Orthodox 

church when visiting his wife´s family. In 1899 Benois, the Russian architect, designed a 

picturesque building, richly decorated with mosaics, gold plated cupolas, and colorfully painted 

tiles. Orthodox services are still held in the chapel. The ornamental pool in front of the chapel was 

designed by Albin Müller. Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

Exhibition building“Mathildenhöhe” 

(see under p. 5.4 Museums) 

The artists´ private homes 

The private homes of the artists were grouped around the atelier. The small and the large 

“Glückert” houses, the “Deiters” building as well as the house of Peter Behrens, which was his first 

attempt in architecture, are almost in their original state. The “Habich” and “Keller” buildings were 

considerably changed during their reconstruction. Transport link: Bus F via 

"Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

“Ernst-Ludwig-Haus“ 

(see under p. 5.4. Museums: “Museum Künstlerkolonie”). Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/ 

Mathildenhöhe. 

Plane Tree Grove 

In the plane tree grove Bernhard Hoetger exhibited a cycle of four reliefs (Spring, Summer, Sleep, 

and Resurrection), that symbolize growth and decay in nature. In the grove, other works of Hoetger 

include a group of fountains, a number of female figures carrying water jugs, and the sculpture 

“Mother and Child”, a variation of the monument Hoetger had created for the tomb of Paula 

Modersohn-Becker, who died during childbirth. Transport link: Bus F via 

"Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

“Löwentor” (lions gate) 

Originally created in 1901 by Bernhard Hoetger and Albin Müller as the entrance to Darmstadt´s 

historical “artists´ colony”, the “Löwentor” now marks the entrance to the � “Rosenhöhe” (see p. 

5.2 Recreation areas). Transport link: many busses and trains via "Ostbahnhof". 

“Rosenhöhe” (rose garden) 

See p. 5.2 Recreation areas 

33

“Orangerie” 

In 1721 Rémy de la Fosse built this small castle as winter quarters for the orange trees that had 

been brought from Sicily to Darmstadt to embellish the adjoining “Orangerie” park. Today the 

“Orangerie” hall is used for concerts and congresses. Transport link: tram 3 via "Orangerie". 

"Waldspirale" - Hundertwasser Building 

The Waldspirale was built after the concept of Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the famous Austrian 

artist. It is located at the border of the city in the "Bürgerpark". The Waldspirale is the first building 

in Germany to use recycling concrete and has a typical Hundertwasser-design. The facade follows 

no pattern, no window is in line. You can also get inside the building where you find a bistro and 

restaurant. Transport link: tram lines 4 and 5 via "Messplatz". 

Ruins of "Frankenstein Castle" 

The Castle, once of considerable dimensions, is located at an elevation of 370 m on the northern 

spur of the Langenberg. The noble family of Frankenstein built their stronghold on this jutting rock, 

affording excellent defences. The Castle is first mentioned in the records in the year 948. 

Initial construction of the Castle ruins remaining today began in the 13th century. The 14th and 

15th centuries saw expansion, followed by construction of reinforcements in the 16th. The 

Darmstadt Landgraves acquired the Castle in 1662, which, although neglected in the 18th century, 

was saved from further decay in the 1800s. 

Some sources maintain Mary Shelley was inspired to write her famous novel "Frankenstein" by a 

visit to the castle. Nowadays, every year at the end of October and beginning of November, 

Frankenstein Castle "is haunted". Monsters emerge from their hiding-places between the misty 

rocks. Thousands enjoy the frightful shivers of "Halloween", a professional monster show. 

The seats of the Castle cafe offer a far-reaching view over the Rhine-Main plain to the cities of 

Worms, Oppenheim, Mainz and Frankfurt. 

The Castle is directly accessible by car by a winding road that branches off from the B 426. Public 

transport also brings tourists to the "Frankenstein" stop at the foot of the mountain, from where a 

walk of about half an hour leads to the Castle. 

Messel Pit 

The Messel Pit is a disused quarry near the village of Messel, about 4 km southeast of GSI (app. 

10 km by car). Bituminous shale was mined there. Because of its abundance of fossils, it has 

significant geological and scientific importance. The Messel Pit was declared a UNESCO World 

Heritage site on December 9, 1995. 

Opening hours info center: 11:00 – 16:00 h (March 31 – October 31) 

Short tours (1 h) on Sat, Sun and holidays at 12:00, 13:30, 15:00 und 16:30 during the season 

(7 € / pers., children free). Registration not obligatory, but advisable. Other tours and dates are 

available on request. � 06159-717535; www.grube-messel.de/ (web-site only in German and not 

very user-friendly) 

5.4 Museums 

“Hessisches Landesmuseum” (museum of the state of Hessen) 

Friedensplatz 1, � 06151-165703 

The museum, planned and constructed by Alfred Messel in 1902, houses interesting collections 

from various fields of knowledge, i.e. history of art, cultural history, geology, mineralogy and 

zoology. Special attractions are the medieval altar pieces, the glass paintings, and the Art Nouveau 

department. Works of modern art are arranged around a collection of 300 pieces by Joseph Beuys. 

Opening hours Tu–Sa 10–17 h; Wed 10–20 h; Sun 11-17 h. Admission fee: 4 €, after 16 h free; 

www.hlmd.de/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Willy-Brandt-Platz" or “Luisenplatz”. 

Special note: Because of renovation works the museum will be complety closed for an indefinite 

time beginning September 30, 2007. 

34

“Museum Künstlerkolonie” (Ernst-Ludwig-Haus) 

Mathildenhöhe, Alexandraweg 26, � 06151-133385 

The Museum is housed in the Ernst-Ludwig-Haus, the former atelier building of the Darmstadt 

Artists' Colony. It provides a summary of the works of the artist members of Darmstadt's 

Mathildenhöhe artists' colony from 1899 to the beginning of the First World War. The focus is on 

items of everyday use, although other types of "applied art" are also represented. The collection 

pays tribute to the broad spectrum of Jugendstil forms. 

The Ernst-Ludwig-Haus was built according to the plans of Joseph M. Olbrich. His imposing 

"omega portal" is flanked by sculptor Ludwig Habich's figures "Adam and Eve". Two Victory 

goddesses in bronze by Rudolf Bosselt in the door niche harmonize with Olbrich's golden 

ornament. Open Tue – Sun 10 – 17 h; www.mathildenhoehe.info/ 

Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

Exhibition building “Mathildenhöhe" 

Sabaisplatz 1, � 06151-132778, continually changing exhibitions; Open Tue - Sun 10 - 18 h 

At the highest point of the Mathildenhöhe, on top of the elevated tank of the municipal water 

supply, Olbrich designed the exhibition building with wide terraces and graded pergolas. Various 

exhibitions are held there regularly. www.mathildenhoehe.info/ 

Transport link: Bus F via "Lucasweg/Mathildenhöhe. 

“Schloßmuseum” (castle museum) 

Located in the bell building of the castle, � 06151-24035 

The museum contains a representative collection tracing the history of the former landgraviate, and 

the later grand duchy “Hessen”. Portraits of nobles, views of the city and the surroundings of 

Darmstadt, as well as furniture and handicrafts, are on display. The most famous treasure of the 

museum is, however, the “Darmstadt Madonna”, painted by Hans Holbein in 1526 for Jacob 

Meyer, a former mayor of Basel. Open Mo-Thu 10–13 h & 14–17 h, Sat/Sun 10–13 h. Guided tours 

only; www.schlossmuseum-darmstadt.de/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schloss" or “Luisenplatz”. 

“Jagdschloß Kranichstein/Jagdmuseum” (hunting lodge and hunting museum) 

Kranichsteiner Straße 261, � 06151-718613 

The castle, built in 1578 for Landgrave Georg I. as a hunting castle, contains a considerable array 

of hunting weapons and equipment from before 1769. After that date this type of hunting (riding 

and following the hounds) was prohibited. A collection of historical paintings shows the degree to 

which baroque princes were obsessed with their passion for hunting. 

Opening hours are linked to the seasons. www.jagdschloss-kranichstein.de/ 

Transport link: bus via "Jagdschloß Kranichstein". 

Porcelain collection in the “Prinz-Georg-Palais” 

Schloßgartenstraße 7, � 06151-713233 

In 1907 Grand Duke Ernst Ludwig decided to place his family´s porcelain collection on show in the 

Prince-Georg-Palais. The collection includes rare pieces from the Hessen-Darmstadt manufactory 

of Kelsterbach and the Czarist-Russian porcelain manufactory of St. Petersburg, as well as a 

representative section of 18 th century porcelain products. 

Open Mo –Thu 10-13 and 14-17, Sat/Sun 10-13; www.porzellanmuseum-darmstadt.de/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Willy-Brandt-Platz" or "Pallaswiesenstraße". 

Wixhausen Museum 

Untergasse 1, WX, � 06150-7731 

A half timbered Franconian style house was turned into a local museum, where examples of the 

cultural and social history of the former village of Wixhausen are exhibited. Several rooms have 

been decorated with antique furniture and household utensils to illustrate how villagers of the 18 th 

and 19 th centuries lived and worked on their farmsteads. Visits by arrangement. 

www.darmstadt.de/kultur/museum/03283/index.html 

35

Railway Museum 

Steinstraße, Kranichstein, � 06151-376401 

Locomotives, railway cars, and other historical railway equipment are exhibited in a carefully 

reconstructed original environment. Special attractions are the occasional steam engine festivals. 

Open Sun 10 – 16 h, Apr – Oct also Wed 10 – 16 h. Often special events. 

Transport link: bus A via "Wachtelweg" or tram lines 4 and 5 and trains via "Kranichstein Bahnhof"; 

www.museumsbahn.de/ 

Wella Museum 

Berliner Allee 65, DA, � 06151-342190 

Collection tracing the history of cosmetics and hairdressing. Nearly 2,700 objects from the ancient 

world to the present underline the important role of cosmetics and hair-cosmetics throughout the 

history of civilization. Open Mon – Fri 10 – 17 h and by arrangement. 

Transport link: bus H via "Holzhofallee", www.wellamuseum.com 

Further museums and exhibitions 

• “Kunsthalle” (art gallery), Steubenplatz 1, DA, � 06151-891184, contemporary art; continually 

changing exhibitions; Open Tue – Fri 11-17 h, Sat, Sun 11-18 h 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Rhein-/Neckarstraße", 

www.kunsthalle-darmstadt.de/ 

• Cybernarium (techn. exhibition), INI-Graphics Net Stiftung, Rundeturmstraße Nr. 10. (behind 

Fraunhofer Institute), DA, � 06151-155 902, www.cybernarium.de/, 

new technologies and science, interactive; (guided) tours only by arrangement.; 

Transport link: bus H via "Alexanderstraße / TU", bus L via "Teichhausstraße" 

Special note: Beginning of December 2007 the Cybernarium will move to the new 

"darmstadtium congress centre". 

• "Altstadt-Museum Hinkelsturm"(Oldtown-Museum), Lindenhofstraße, DA, open April - 

October, Sat & Sun 14 – 16 h; www.frk-stadtmuseum-darmstadt.de/ 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Teichhausstraße/Mercksplatz" 

• "Museum in der Synagoge Darmstadt" (Collection Synagogue Darmstadt), Wilhelm-Glässing- 

Straße 26, DA, � 06151-28897, Visits by arrangement; 

Transport link: many busses and tram lines via "Schulstraße" 

5.5 AUTHORITIES IN DARMSTADT 

See p. 4.1 

5.6 TOURIST INFORMATION 

See p. 4.8 Tourist Information & Travelling 

36

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